Calgary Alberta - CP's Hydrogen Locomotive Program began in December 2020 with the retrofit of an existing diesel-electric linehaul locomotive which was renumbered 1001.
 
The diesel prime mover and traction alternator were replaced with a hydrogen fuel cell and battery technology to power the unit's electric traction motors.
 
In November 2021, CP received a $15 million 50 percent matching grant from Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) to expand the initiative to three locomotives (now two linehaul units and one switcher), install hydrogen production facilities at two locations, and create a "global center of excellence in hydrogen and freight rail systems" in Alberta.
 
Creel reported at a New York conference this month that the vision is, "by the end of next year, that's the commitment and the expectation I've given the team, we're going to have a hydrogen locomotive switching customers in Edmonton. A hydrogen locomotive switching customers in Vancouver. And one switching in Calgary."
 
The next step, Creel told attendees, is to "partner with a customer, we have discussions ongoing now, that has the scale and the ability with a closed loop to partner with us to build enough main line locomotives, so we can prove the technology out in the harshest of operating conditions, through the mountains of the Rockies west of Calgary. It's a perfect test bed. If you can operate there, heavy haul, cold temperatures, the most challenging operational conditions I've ever experienced in my career. And if it works there, it will work everywhere."
 
Creel noted that the locomotive would likely run in "local service first because you still have to develop the fueling support system across the nation."
 
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