North America’s freight rail network is highly optimized. In the commitment to constant improvement, railroads have aggressively right-sized their locomotive inventories and are accustomed to maximizing the value of every asset in the yard and on the track. Because locomotives operate for decades, carbon-friendly technologies and models will take a period of transition.
After years of talking with owner-operators and understanding needs, Dayton-Phoenix Group (DPG) saw an opportunity to develop a modular, portable, battery-powered hybrid solution for locomotive power. But to take this solution from concept to reality, DPG’s engineering team knew it would need to test the “VOLT” under real-world track conditions and heavy loads. That’s why they trusted the recommendation from multiple Class I railroad colleagues and reached out to MxV Rail in Pueblo, CO.
DPG mobilized a broad internal team—including engineers from Dayton, partners in Australia, shipping and personnel teams—to support a month-long test campaign at MxV Rail. On-site, DPG representatives worked closely with MxV Rail team members to develop and implement the test plan. Looking back, it was a combination of capabilities and people talent that made the test program a good investment. “MxV Rail offers multiple advantages that were essential to DPG’s project success. We had a secure environment for testing, access to equipment, access to leading experts and operators, with a 6-mile continuous loop of track enabling extended dynamic testing. Where else are you going to find that combination of facilities and expertise?” said Jake Dahle, Head of Sustainability and Growth, DPG.
While DPG brought a novel solution and engineering design to the testing, MxV Rail contributed foundational knowledge and operational insight. Working together the teams were able to refine tests in progress, ensure system stability and a robust data capture. In the spirit of collaboration, DPG and MxV Rail each contributed strengths that elevated the outcome.
“I’ve worked at MxV Rail for about six years now. It’s been awesome, and actually fun, to work on the locomotives alongside Dayton Phoenix Group’s team,” said Geoffery Newman, Senior Locomotive Electrician at MxV Rail. “VOLT is the type of emerging technology that helps the industry deliver on its sustainability goals, and our teams being able to work together and bounce ideas off one another was a great experience.”
DPG and MxV Rail are aligned in supporting the global rail industry’s transition to cleaner, more efficient technologies without compromising operational reliability.
Among the next steps, DPG is moving into live rail testing with select railroad partners, including testing their technology amidst the hazards and conditions of rail and mining operations where diesel reduction is a priority.
Interested parties can learn more about the DPG–MxV Rail testing in featured videos or by following on social media.
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