Electrek: "Fortescue Infinitey Train electric locomotive never needs fuel or charging." In 2022, Australian iron mining company Forescue published its concept for a battery electric “Infinity Train,” which would be the “world’s first” iron ore train capable of fully charging its batteries through regenerative braking. Co-developed with the locomotive experts at Downer Group, the 2 companies "claimed the clever technology would create a self-sustaining, zero-emission rail system powered entirely by the force of gravity during the train’s loaded downhill travels." Just this wk, "the concept went from the drawing board to the real world, completing an 1,100 km trip across Australia and proving itself to be up to the task of handling the grueling demands of Fortescue’s massive mining operations." Ellie Coates, CEO of Fortescue Zero, said the achievement, using zero fossil fuels, “represent(s) a major step in Fortescue’s journey to Real Zero.” The downhill segments of the trip from Perth to Pilbara with the heavy, loaded train carrying iron ore are sufficient to recharge the locomotive sufficiently for the return trip. The track is a 385 mile private, heavy-haul rail system. Annually the Infinity Train should obviate the use of 82 million liters of diesel fuel [about 21 million gallons], preventing the emission of some 235,200 tons of CO₂ Personally, I love trains, + they do't get more fuel efficient than this. Crikey!
