Altoona Works BP4

Type and origin
Power type	Battery-electric
Builder	Altoona Works

Specifications
AAR wheel arr.	B-B
Gauge	4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in (1,435 mm)

Performance figures
Power output	1,350 hp (1,010 kW)

The Altoona Works BP4 is a 1,350 hp (1,010 kW) B-B battery-electric locomotive rebuilt by the Altoona Works of the Norfolk Southern Railroad. It is the result of a conversion of an existing EMD GP38-type locomotive. This involves replacing the existing prime mover with a set of 1080 12-volt lead-acid batteries, and associated control equipment.

Overview

Despite appearing somewhat similar to a conventional diesel electric locomotive, the BP4 has no diesel engine; battery charging is provided by plugging in an external power source. Battery life is extended by the use of regenerative braking, which returns power to the batteries. The BP4 is designed to operate 3 shifts on a single battery charge.

Production

Only 1 BP4 has been constructed so far, Norfolk Southern #999, converted from GP38 #2911 (former Conrail #7732).

Appearance

This conversion significantly alters the external appearance of the locomotive, with the cab (which is actually brand new) being moved forward on the frame to make room for a large louvered battery box, which takes the place of the locomotive's long hood. The fuel tank is similarly replaced with another battery box.

Development

BP4 development was undertaken by Norfolk Southern, along with Brookville Equipment, Penn State University, the United States Department of Energy, and the Federal Railroad Administration. Testing of this new technology continued through the end of 2009 at Norfolk Southern's Rose Yard in Altoona, PA. If considered successful, there are plans to build more copies and perhaps apply the technology to helper and road locomotives of the future.

References

Railfan and Railroad Magazine: 31. December 2009. Missing or empty |title= (help)
FRA Blue Card from Locomotive, November 5, 2009

Low emissions locomotives

Altoona Works	BP4 GP33ECO

Brandt Road-Rail	Prototype

Brookville Equipment	BL12CG BL14CG BL20CG BL20G BL20GH BL36PH

Electro-Motive Diesel	F125 GP15D GP20D GP22ECO GT38ACe SD22ECO SD32ECO SD70ACe SD70M-2

GE Transportation Systems	ES40DC ES44AC ES44C4 ES44DC

MotivePower, Inc.	MP14B MP20B MP20C MP21B MP36PH-3C MP36PH-3S MP40PH-3C HSP46

National Railway Equipment	1GS7B 2GS14B 3GS21B 3GS21C 2GS36C-DE

Progress Rail Services	PR15B PR22B PR30C PR43C

Railpower Technologies	GGS2000D GG10B GG20B GK10B RP14BD RP20BH RP20BD RP20CD RP27CD

Siemens Mobility	Siemens Charger

See also: List of low emissions locomotives

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 7/17/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.