Stadler Rail has signed its first locomotive contract in the Canadian market, under which it will supply 45 hybrid locomotives to VIA Rail Canada. The order represents an important step towards the modernisation of passenger rail transport in Canada.
The contract also includes a 20-year agreement for technical support and the supply of spare parts, through which Stadler will ensure the long-term availability and reliability of the new locomotives.
The new locomotives are designed for the harsh operating conditions in Canada, where temperatures can drop to -50°C. The vehicles will combine tried-and-tested diesel-electric technology with an innovative battery-assisted traction system, a solution that will reduce fuel consumption and emissions whilst delivering improved performance.
Hybrid technology to reduce emissions
The hybrid locomotives will be equipped with traction battery modules that will supply power to the on-board auxiliary systems, the train’s electrical supply and the traction system. The combination of the diesel engine and the energy stored in the batteries will enable a power output of up to 4 MW at the wheels, a starting tractive force of 350 kN and a maximum speed of 160 km/h.
The hybrid system will recover energy generated during braking and store it in the batteries, helping to increase energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption and maintenance costs.
At stations and in environmentally sensitive areas, the locomotives will be able to operate in battery mode, reducing noise levels and emissions. Furthermore, the system provides an additional safety margin, enabling the locomotive to reach a safe area in the event of a diesel system failure.
The new locomotives have also been designed with a focus on sustainability, boasting a recyclability rate of over 92 per cent and a material recovery rate of over 95 per cent. The batteries are designed for a long service life and for further applications after their initial period of use.
Locomotives ready for Canadian winters
Stadler will draw on the experience gained from similar projects in countries such as Sweden and Norway, where the company’s locomotives have performed well in severe weather conditions.
The new locomotives will connect major urban centres with remote communities across Canada, contributing to VIA Rail’s objective of providing accessible, safe and more sustainable rail services throughout the country.
The design, manufacture and delivery of the locomotives will be carried out by Stadler Valencia, the group’s centre of excellence for locomotives. The Albuixech factory, located near Valencia, is home to over 500 engineers specialising in the development of rail vehicles.
Although Stadler will retain overall responsibility for the project, part of the locomotive assembly, as well as testing and commissioning activities, will be carried out in Canada.
Under the 20-year maintenance agreement, Stadler will support the operation of the new series of locomotives through a Canadian subsidiary, with staff based at VIA Rail’s main maintenance centres in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver.
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