Wabtec/GE in 2019 developed a Lithium-Ion Battery-powered locomotive that was tested on the BNSF RR in 2021. The FLXDrive was tested as part of a hybrid lashup consisting of two BNSF ET44C4s and the FLXDrive Prototype #3000. The FLXDrive Prototype in the consist saved fuel and was more eco-friendly. The batteries on the FLXDrive can be charged by plugging in the locomotive, but in normal operation, the batteries are charged by using the Dynamic Brakes and regenerative braking. The FLXDrive Prototype #3000 would be a cool addition to TSW4's BNSF Cajon Pass Route. A FLXDrive DLC could include #3000 and a BNSF ET44C4 to recreate tests of the FLXDrive. This DLC could also include a few new pieces of freight equipment, including steel coil cars, cement hoppers, new auto racks, new intermodal cars, etc. in BNSF livery. Besides the FLXDrive Testing scenarios, the DLC would also include scenarios using the ET44C4s in heavy freight operations. An interesting final comment: I have actually seen the FLXDrive prototype running on Cajon Pass in real life.
Ooh I would love the FLXDrive to come to TSW. Jealous you saw it out in the wild. Would you happen to know the time it takes for the batteries to be charged? Like both for plug in and for regenerative braking charging methods?
Good question. I don't know how long it takes the batteries to charge (probably longer than car batteries, though). As of 2023, UP (10 units) and CN (1 unit) have both ordered production FLXDrive locomotives, as well as Rio Tinto (4 units), Roy Hill (1 unit), and BHP (2 units) in Western Australia's Pilbara Region for hauling iron ore.
