According to the GE Transportation website (https://www.getransportation.com/general/locomotives/hybrid/hybrid_default.asp ), they are developing a hybrid locomotive for mainline service. I know that Railpower has hybrid switchers for some time now. But what would EMD’s take on this. Would we be seeing hybrid SD70ACes?
emd should follow suit i think
Given the difference in duty cycles between switchers and road engines, a hybrid for mainline service does make a lot of sense. Hybrid autos actually get lower gas milage in highway use than they do in the city with stop and go driving. Switching is much more like city driving where the hybrid benefits the most.
dd