Norfolk Southern powers past 1,000th locomotive modernization

At Norfolk Southern’s Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona, PA., history and innovation came together to mark a major achievement: our 1,000th DC-to-AC locomotive conversion.

The milestone reflects decades of employee expertise and Norfolk Southern’s commitment to building a cleaner, more reliable fleet. By giving locomotives new life, Juniata’s workforce is keeping costs down, cutting emissions, and ensuring the railroad is ready for the future. Rail technology leader Wabtec is also playing a large role by converting locomotives at its plant in Erie, Pennsylvania, as part of NS’ program.

Why it matters

• Fuel savings: Modernized locomotives are up to 25% more fuel efficient.
• Reliability gains: The upgrades improve reliability by 40% and increase haulage capacity by 55%.
• Sustainability impact: Conversions are a key step toward our goal of reducing emissions intensity by 42% by 2034.

Key details

• Each conversion extends a locomotive’s life by at least 20 years, at half the cost of buying new.
• The program integrates smart sensors and energy management software, reducing idle time and maximizing fuel economy.
• The milestone underpins NS as the leader of the most modernized freight rail fleet in North America.

Spotlight: Juniata Locomotive Shop

Home to the largest locomotive repair facility in North America, Juniata has been at the center of many of our most important milestones for more than a century. Generations of craft employees have kept the nation’s freight moving, combining deep expertise with modern innovation. The Juniata Locomotive Shop modernized many of the DC locomotives, turning legacy machines into smarter, greener power for the future.

What we’re saying

“This milestone is about more than locomotives; it illustrates how sustainability and business drivers go hand-in-hand. By modernizing our fleet, we’re cutting fuel costs, boosting reliability and meeting our climate goals — all at the same time. This is a powerful example of how investing in sustainability is also an investment in long-term performance.” — Josh Raglin, Chief Sustainability Officer, Norfolk Southern

“Behind every modernized locomotive is a team of railroaders whose skill makes these achievements possible. Thanks to their work, Norfolk Southern operates the most modernized fleet in North America – proof that our railroaders are powering the future of freight. This partnership with Wabtec truly accelerates the future of transportation.” — Ryan Stege, Senior Director Locomotive Operations & Maintenance, Norfolk Southern

Photos below show the 1,000th converted unit