CPKC Takes Delivery of 170th and Final Wabtec ET44AC Tier 4 Locomotive
Published: June 30, 2026
By: Adam Burns
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) has received the 170th and final Wabtec Evolution Series ET44AC Tier 4 locomotive, completing a major multi-year order and marking a key milestone in the railroad’s ongoing fleet modernization program.
The delivery, announced by CPKC in late June 2026, closes out the railroad’s purchase of 170 new 4,500-horsepower AC-traction road locomotives from Wabtec’s manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas. These units represent the latest generation of Wabtec’s Evolution Series and bring CPKC’s investment in new Tier 4 power to a significant benchmark.
Order Background and Scope
CPKC began taking delivery of the first 100 ET44ACs in 2025. The railroad subsequently ordered an additional 70 units, bringing the total Wabtec order to 170 locomotives—all built in Texas.
This program forms part of a broader, multi-year fleet renewal effort that also includes 65 new Progress Rail EMD SD70ACe-T4 locomotives currently under construction in Indiana. The first of those units are expected later in 2026. CPKC has invested more than $800 million in these new Tier 4 locomotives from U.S. manufacturers, supporting domestic rail manufacturing jobs while strengthening its own operations.
Why Tier 4 Matters
The ET44AC meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s stringent Tier 4 emissions standards and achieves major reductions in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter—approximately 76% and 70% respectively compared with earlier generations—without the need for exhaust aftertreatment systems. This design choice reduces both infrastructure costs and ongoing operational complexity for the railroad.
Additional benefits include:
- Improved fuel efficiency
- Advanced traction control
- More efficient cooling systems
- Enhanced overall reliability
These features deliver tangible advantages for crews and customers alike, supporting safer, more efficient movement of freight across CPKC’s vast three-country network.
Official Statements
Baden Tidd, CPKC Vice President Mechanical – Locomotive, emphasized the strategic value of the new power:
“These locomotives are a smart investment in the strength and reliability of our fleet. They give our crews modern, fuel-efficient power to move our customers’ freight safely and efficiently.”
The broader investment program has been championed by Mark Redd, CPKC Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, who noted in earlier comments on the initiative:
“Our purchase of additional new Tier 4 locomotives, proudly made in the U.S., continues CPKC’s commitment to renew our locomotive fleet through a more-than $800 million investment in U.S. manufacturing capacity. We are investing in our road locomotive fleet for growth and to maintain our industry-leading service for our customers and the North American economy, powered by a fleet with improved reliability and fuel efficiency.”
Looking Ahead
With the Wabtec order now complete, attention turns to the incoming Progress Rail SD70ACe-T4 units. These locomotives are expected to bring further advancements, including Progress Rail’s Talos™ energy management system, which uses artificial intelligence to optimize train handling and has demonstrated significant additional fuel savings and safety benefits in testing.
The arrival of these 170 new ET44ACs significantly modernizes CPKC’s road locomotive fleet following the 2023 merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern. The combined railroad now operates a truly transnational network, and newer, cleaner, more reliable power is essential to handling growing volumes of intermodal, agricultural, energy, and industrial traffic while meeting environmental and performance expectations.
Railfans have already been enjoying the sight of these gleaming red locomotives in service, particularly in the Upper Midwest on grain and oil trains. The new units typically carry numbers in the 74xx series (with additional units continuing the sequence). They stand out with their fresh paint, modern cab design, and the prominent CPKC “Spirit” logo.
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