PITTSBURGH — Global mining company Vale has finalized an agreement with Wabtec to purchase 50 new Evolution Series locomotives for two railways in Brazil, the companies have announced.
The order calls for 36 EVOBBW locomotives for the Vitória a Minas Railroad (EFVM) and 14 ES58ACi locomotives for the Carajás Railroad (EFC). The locomotives will be built at Wabtec’s Contagem, Brazil, plant, with deliveries beginning in 2026.
“Vale has chosen locomotives that have consolidated performance in the market and are aligned with the company’s focus on sustainability, efficiency and safety,” Carlos Medeiros, vice president of operations at Vale, said in a press release. “The renewal and modernization plan for the EFVM and EFC fleet is premised on contributing to the future of decarbonization in the rail sector.”
The locomotives will be able to operate with a higher-percentage blend of biodiesel fuel, lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The companies will conduct tests to assess the possibility of increasing the biodiesel percentage in the future.
“We are proud to support Vale and our customers with advanced technologies that reduce CO2 emissions and promote operational efficiency,” said Danilo Miyasato, Wabtec Latin America president and regional leader. “Wabtec is at the forefront of innovation and committed to decarbonization and greater efficiency in the rail sector. We are investing in innovative and sustainable technologies and in the development of engines that use alternative fuels, for a future of zero-emission rail transport.”
Mark, the B-B+B-B wheel arrangement is designed to reduce axle load on lighter track, I believe. See also: BB36-7 and DDM45.
Thank you Patrick. That makes sense.
Agreed Patrick, not only lighter track, but also narrower meter gauge track as used in the Brazil mining industry. Brazil also has much 5’3″ broad gauge as well 4′ 8 1/2″ standard gauge. Once again, the article neglects to mention track gauge.
Let’s recall that Brazil uses 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) [known as “Irish gauge”, most common for passenger services and a few freight corridors in the Southeast] and 1,000 mm ( 3 ft 33⁄8 in) [known as “narrow gauge” or “metre gauge”, most common for cargo services)]. As EFC uses “broad gauge”, Wabtec’s 6000 hp ES58ACi locomotives are supposed to be built for 1,600 mm track gauge.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
co2 is not a green house gas.
Every report I have ever read indicates CO 2 as the primary greenhouse gas. Do you have a source for this information? I would be interested in reading it. Thanks.
WOW that’s a new one on me!!!!
Note that according to the “https://www.climate.gov/” website, CO2 is Earth’s most important greenhouse gas: a gas that absorbs and radiates heat. Unlike oxygen or nitrogen (which make up most of our atmosphere), greenhouse gases absorb heat radiating from the Earth’s surface and re-release it in all directions—including back toward Earth’s surface.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
I would like to know about the unusual trucks on the engine shown. BB-BB?
Everyone else can make the GEVO-16 work except the US.
Any DEF?