Cando Rail & Terminals on Sept. 10, unveiled its first battery-powered switching locomotive at
the company’s Southlands Terminal in Edmonton, Alberta. The locomotive is fully electric,
retrofitted from a traditional diesel unit, Cando officials said in a press release. To be used for
closed-loop switching operations, the locomotive will eliminate emissions, reduce noise, cut
energy costs and support Canada’s net-zero climate goals, they said. The government of Alberta,
through its Emissions Reduction Alberta program, provided C$2 million for the project, named
Li-Ion 2025. The project cost C$4 million. The locomotive underwent phase one of field testing
earlier this year. Testing will now continue at the Southlands Terminal, with commercial use
planned for early 2026.

Sept 10 (Reuters) – Union Pacific (UNP.N), CEO Jim Vena said on Wednesday he was confident
that the railroad operator would receive a merger approval from the U.S. administration over its
deal with Norfolk Southern (NSC.N). In July, Union Pacific announced an $85 billion stock-andcash
acquisition of the smaller rival, which, if approved, would create the country’s first coast-tocoast
freight rail operator.

Sources indicate that CSX crews have nearly or just completed track laying through the
Nolichucki Gorge between Poplar, NC, and Erwin, TN, on the former Clinchfield line, part of
CSX’s Blueridge Subdivision. As I mentioned last month there are some amazing Youtube videos
showing the work step by step and the incredible machinery being put into action. One of my
favorites is the Herzog belt train – a unit ballast train of sorts with a continuous belt system from
one car to another then funneled to a swiveling boom conveyor for the precise dispersion of
ballast along the track. Some of the “pre-Helene” rail was used but much of the track consisted
of long panels brought in by trucks with extendable trailers. Although track is on the ground,
there will still be much detail work to complete. An unusual sight is to see two six-axle CSX
locos push a ballast train across bare track with no ballast.