The Anonymous Widower

Fortescue Unveils World-First Electric Train Using Gravity To Recharge

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on InnovateAus.

These two paragraphs summarise the project.

Fortescue has announced the development of an electric train that recharges itself using gravity, as the Australian resources giant finalises its acquisition of UK-based Williams Advanced Engineering.

Fortescue is dedicating $50 million, in partnership with Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE), for research and development on the Infinity Train, which fully recharges its battery using gravitational energy when it descends.

Note.

1. Most of Australia’s iron ore is mined in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
2. There are at least four railways in Pilbara leading to the coast.
3. As the mines are higher than the coast, the heavily loaded trains will be going downhill, whereas the empties will be going uphill.
4. There would certainly appear to be scope for charging going to the coast and coming back on a full battery with the empties.
5. 94 % of Australia’s iron ore exports are transported by train from Pilbara to the coast.

There are hundreds of locomotives used for transportation of Iron ore from Pilbara to the coast.

Will Williams Convert Existing Locomotives?

I suspect they will as this is route that Wabtec is taking with their FLXdrive locomotives.

Will Williams Convert Locomotives For Other Pilbara Companies?

I suspect what Andrew Twiggy Forest wants he gets.

Could Williams Convert Other Diesel Electric Locomotives

I suspect they could and I wouldn’t rule out seeing a battery-electric Class 66 locomotive.

I laid out my thoughts in Could Class 66 Locomotives Be Converted Into Battery-Electric Locomotives?.

March 2, 2022 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Andrew Forrest, Battery-Electric Locomotives, Class 66 Locomotive, FLXdrive Battery, Fortescue Future Industries, Freight, Infinity Train, Innovation, Wabtec, Williams Advanced Engineering