In Pictures: Wabtec's 4,400 hp FLXDrive battery-electric locomotives prove ready for prime time at BHP mine

Heavy-haul rail moves millions of tons of ore across the Pilbara, where Wabtec's FLXDrive is now proving its mettle.

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The FLXDrive's 7 MWh battery pack delivers 4,400 horsepower while cutting diesel consumption on every run.

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Battery-electric traction is bringing a new generation of power to railways long dominated by diesel.

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Regenerative braking lets the FLXDrive capture downhill energy, storing it to power the return trip.

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After nearly a year at BHP's Jimblebar mine, the FLXDrive has shown it can handle demanding heavy-haul duty.

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The pilot signals a possible shift away from diesel for the world's most demanding rail operations.

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Each locomotive's massive battery pack is recharged in part by the very grades it descends.

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Wabtec and BHP are evaluating whether the FLXDrive can scale across the Pilbara's vast rail network.

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The results at Jimblebar suggest battery-electric locomotives are ready for prime time in heavy-haul rail.

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