Norfolk Southern NS 999: The World’s First Battery Powered All-Electric Train

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Plug-in electric cars make plenty of sense now.  But a train?  Norfolk Southern just unveiled their prototype locomotive, the 100% battery-powered NS 999.

Developed in partnership with the US Department of Energy, the Federal Railroad Administration and Penn State, the barreling green beast won’t be carrying a diesel engine like other trains.  Instead, it’s going to roll using a 1,500 horsepower electric motor, powered exclusively by a 1,080 units of 12-volt lead-acid batteries.

The Norfolk Southern NS 999 can carry the same load as an equally-sized switching train and costs around the same price to build, making it a logical replacement for traditional gas-guzzling choo-choos.  It draws power directly from the grid and picks up trickles of energy from regenerative braking.

Battery life is carefully monitored through a computer-based management system, assuring safe and continuous operation.  A single two-hour charge will let it operate for an entire 24 hours (three shifts), with weekly calibrations required for optimal use.

While not yet operational, the zero-emissions prototype seems like a feasible idea.  In fact, the team has already secured an initial $1.3 million funding for further development and testing.  More than likely, this thing should debut in one of Norfolk Southern’s routes among its 22 service states sometime soon.

[NS Corp via Inhabitat]