CSX’s $670M Push for Smarter Rail Power

Freight operator orders 100 new engines from Wabtec and upgrades 50 more as it seeks fuel savings and stronger digital oversight

24 Feb 2026

CSX has agreed a $670mn fleet modernisation deal with Wabtec, ordering 100 new Evolution Series locomotives and upgrading 50 existing units as the US freight rail operator seeks to improve efficiency and reliability.

The agreement combines new locomotives with enhanced onboard digital monitoring systems designed to provide real-time performance data. CSX said the investment would support fuel efficiency, lower emissions and reduce unplanned maintenance across its network.

The Jacksonville-based group operates one of the largest freight rail systems in the eastern US and, like its peers, faces rising operating costs and growing pressure to improve service levels. Incremental gains in fuel use and asset availability can have a significant effect on margins in a capital-intensive industry.

Modern traction systems and greater standardisation of components are expected to simplify maintenance and reduce operational complexity. The digital systems will allow maintenance teams to monitor locomotive performance more closely and make service decisions based on live data, with the aim of improving reliability and long-term planning.

“This investment enhances the efficiency and performance of our locomotive fleet while supporting our long-term sustainability objectives,” said Mike Cory, executive vice-president and chief operating officer at CSX.

Wabtec chief executive Rafael Santana said that combining modern locomotives with digital tools would help railroads optimise fuel use, cut emissions and improve asset availability.

US freight railroads are under increasing scrutiny over environmental performance while also competing on cost and network reliability. Programmes that integrate hardware with data systems reflect a broader shift towards lifecycle management of assets, rather than one-off equipment purchases.

For Wabtec, the deal strengthens its position as a technology partner to large rail operators, extending beyond the supply of locomotives into software and monitoring services.

Large-scale upgrades require careful integration into existing fleets. CSX’s investment suggests confidence that digital tools and more efficient engines will play a central role in sustaining operational performance as freight demand evolves.