2024

THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW

A B OU T T HI S R E P OR T
This report supplements Railinc's presentation
at the Rail Equipment Finance Conference in La
Quinta, California, on March 6, 2024. It provides
an industry overview of the North American
locomotive fleet, detailing essential statistics and
overall trends. Railinc compiled all data in the
report from its Umler® system. The data in the
pages that follow represent the period ending
December 31, 2023. You can download this
report and other related information
at www.railinc.com.

A B OU T R A IL INC
Railinc is the railroad industry’s innovative and reliable
resource for rail data, IT and information services. The
company provides essential rail applications and deploys
data that help railroads, rail equipment owners and other
industry participants manage their businesses more
effectively and efficiently. Many Railinc applications and
data systems are deeply embedded in critical rail industry
operations, helping to keep the North American rail network
moving safely and efficiently. Railinc is the largest single
source of real-time, accurate interline rail data.
Located in Cary, North Carolina, Railinc is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads.
For more information, please visit www.railinc.com.
A B OU T T HE UML E R ® S Y S T E M
Railinc’s Umler system is the mission-critical source
for reliable rail equipment data. The Umler equipment
registry contains the physical characteristics,
transportation management and pool assignments
of more than two million pieces of rail equipment
in North America. This registry is the base file for
other industry reference files and industry equipment
accounting files. It provides rail carriers, equipment
owners and shippers with real-time access to
detailed equipment data, which help them move
assets, distribute equipment, plan routes, determine
power requirements, report air-brake testing and
make operations decisions. This real-time system
supports better communication and collaboration
among rail partners for improved asset management
and rail safety. It is updated nearly one million times
each month.
TA B LE of C O N T EN TS

4 SECTION ONE : LOCOMOTIVE TRENDS IN 2023

5 SECTION TWO : A CLOSER LOOK AT THE LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

17 SECTION THREE : CONCLUSION

 SECTION 1
NORTH AMERICAN

LOCOMOTIVE TRENDS

L OC OM O T I V E T R E ND S IN 2 0 2 3 1 Rebuilding programs continue but new

locomotives are still rare. At the end of 2023, the
Analysis of the North American locomotive
locomotive fleet totaled 37,559, down 145 units
fleet reveals that the size of the total
from 2022. That is up from 2022’s -0.4 percent
fleet decreased slightly in 2023. Detailed
year-over-year decline. The fleet has continued to
analysis reveals the following trends:
decline since 2018.

2 Statistics and data in the 2023 report better

reflect the relevance of rebuilt locomotives.
As introduced in last year's report, the age of
locomotives is based on the rebuilt year in Umler
if the data is present; otherwise, it is based on the
original built year.

3 High-horsepower, AC locomotives with six axles

continue to drive changes in fleet demographics.
Most new additions to the fleet since the mid-
1990s have been six-axle locomotives with a
horsepower rating of 4,000 or higher. Locomotives
with alternating current traction motors (AC units),
which perform well at hauling heavy loads, account
for the majority of new additions to the fleet in the
last decade. And locomotives with the highest fuel
capacity — more than 4,500 gallons — make up the
largest percentage of the fleet.

4 www.railinc.com / THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW 2024

 SECTION 2
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE

LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

Y E A R- O V E R-Y E A R GRO W T H R AT E OF L OC OMO T I V E F L E E T R E M A IN S NE G AT I V E

There has recently been a long-term trend of new locomotives being added to the North American fleet. This
paused in 2018, when the locomotive fleet decreased by three units and that decline continued in 2023. In
2023, the locomotive fleet decreased by 145 units to 37,559 units, for a growth rate of -0.4 percent, up from
the previous year’s growth rate of -0.8 percent (figure 1).

FIGURE 1 : NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

COUNT AT THE END OF YEAR [ ACTIVE LOCOMOTIVES IN UMLER ]

40,000
38.0K

37.7K

35,000
37.6K

30,000

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0
20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20
13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

Special Note: Industry rules require that only locomotives used in interchange service be registered in the Umler system. Because
of this, Railinc is confident that the data presented in this report accurately reflects trends in the North American locomotive fleet.

5 www.railinc.com / THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW 2024

 SECTION 2
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE

LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

NUMB E R OF NE W L OC OMO T I V E S A DDE D T O F L E E T R E M A IN S L O W

Most of the new locomotives depicted are recently-rebuilt units rather than brand new locomotives. Beginning in
2022, rebuilt dates from Umler (where present) are used to determine locomotive age. Historically, the average
age of the fleet and the number of locomotives added to the fleet mirror the economic environment. When the
economy is strong, as in the mid-1990s and mid-2000s, and there are more railcars in service, the average
age is lower and the fleet tends to grow. During periods of recession, fewer new locomotives join the fleet. The
decrease in 2023 reflects both the lasting economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the excess supply of
locomotives due to industry utilization improvements surrounding precision scheduled railroading.

FIGURE 2 : NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

NUMBER OF LOCOMOTIVES BY AGE [ ACTIVE LOCOMOTIVES IN UMLER ]

1,600

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0
1 6 11 16 21 26 31 36 41 46 51 56 61 66 71

6 www.railinc.com / THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW 2024

 SECTION 2
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE

LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

AV E R A G E , ME DI A N A GE S OF L OC OMO T I V E F L E E T INCR E A S E
The average and median ages of locomotives in the North American fleet continue to increase. The
average age increased 0.9 years in 2023, and the median age was also up 1 year (figure 3).

Building on the data that was introduced in 2022, the age of a locomotive is based on rebuilt year when
that is present in Umler, otherwise the age is based on built year. The below figure has been adjusted to
reflect this change going back to the end of 2017.

As new locomotives join the fleet each year, larger railroads move older units to less demanding roles, sell
them to regional and short line railroads, or make them available to be rebuilt or refurbished. A locomotive
has a long service life and can be used in a variety of ways over that time, from making long hauls during
its first decades of service to working on regional and short line railroads in middle age to performing
lighter duty service, such as moving railcars in a hump yard, at 60 or 70 years old.

FIGURE 3 : NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

AVERAGE AND MEDIAN AGE AT END OF YEAR [ ACTIVE LOCOMOTIVES IN UMLER ]

30
27.4
26.5

25
Average
22.8 23.8
20
AGE IN YEARS

Median
15

10

0
20

20

20
20

20

20

20
17

21

23
18

19

20

22

7 www.railinc.com / THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW 2024

 SECTION 2
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE

LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

D C L O C OM O T I V E S HOL D L A RGE S T S H A R E OF F L E E T A S A C GRO W T H C ON T INUE S

DC diesel locomotives make up 61 percent of the North American fleet. The share of AC diesel
locomotives has increased 10 percentage points since 2012 as more AC units join the fleet (figure 4).

FIGURE 4 : NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

AC VS. DC POWER BY YEAR [ ACTIVE LOCOMOTIVES IN UMLER ]

40,000

35,000

30,000

25,000 61%
71%

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000 39%
29%
0
20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20
13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

AC DC

8 www.railinc.com / THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW 2024

 SECTION 2
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE

LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

M O S T A DDI T ION S T O T HE F L E E T A R E A C DIE S E L L OC OMO T I V E S

Though DC diesel locomotives continue to make up nearly two-thirds of the North American fleet, AC diesel
locomotives have dominated among additions in the last 10 years. Only 43 DC units were added in the last two
years, and in the last eight years, the majority of all new locomotives were AC units (figure 5).

DC units historically had lower initial costs and lower maintenance costs, though this changed several years ago.
Virtually all new high horsepower locomotives entering the fleet are AC locomotives.

FIGURE 5 : NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

AC VS. DC POWER BY AGE [ ACTIVE LOCOMOTIVES IN UMLER ]

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0
1&2
3&4
5&6
7&8
9 & 10
11 & 12
13 & 14
15 & 16
17 & 18
19 & 20
21 & 22
23 & 24
25 & 26
27 & 28
29 & 30
31 & 32
33 & 34
35 & 36
37 & 38
39 & 40
41 & 42
43 & 44
45 & 46
47 & 48
49 & 50

AC DC

9 www.railinc.com / THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW 2024

 SECTION 2
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE

LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

HIG HE R HOR S E P O W E R L OC OMO T I V E S M A K E UP L A RGE S T S H A R E OF F L E E T

Locomotives with a horsepower rating of 4,000 or higher continue to make up the majority of the North American
locomotive fleet. These locomotives comprised 56 percent of the fleet in 2023 (figure 6).

As a percentage of the fleet, locomotives between 2,000 and 3,999 horsepower comprised 32 percent in 2023,
down from 37 percent in 2013.

FIGURE 6 : NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

HORSEPOWER BY YEAR [ ACTIVE LOCOMOTIVES IN UMLER ]

40,000

35,000

30,000

25,000
53% 64% 64%
56%
20,000

15,000
21% 19%
10,000
16% 13%
5,000
10% 12%
0
20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20
13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

up to 1,999 HP 2,000 - 2,999 HP 3,000 - 3,999 HP 4,000 HP & over

10 www.railinc.com / THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW 2024

 SECTION 2
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE

LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

F L E E T DE M O G R A P HIC S C ON T INUE S HIF T T O HIGHE R HOR S E P O W E R L OC OMO T I V E S

Locomotives with a horsepower rating of 4,000 or higher have predominated among additions to the fleet since
the mid-1990s (figure 7). Of the locomotives built or rebuilt in the past five years, virtually all have a horsepower
rating of 4,000 or higher. The fleet does continue to add lower-horsepower locomotives, though at generally
decreasing rates. These lower-horsepower additions to the fleet are made up of rebuilt locomotives and new units
used as switcher locomotives.

FIGURE 7 : NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

HORSEPOWER BY AGE [ ACTIVE LOCOMOTIVES IN UMLER ]

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0
1&2

11 & 12
13 & 14
15 & 16
17 & 18
19 & 20
3&4
5&6
7&8
9 & 10

21 & 22
23 & 24
25 & 26
27 & 28
29 & 30
31 & 32
33 & 34
35 & 36
37 & 38
39 & 40
41 & 42
43 & 44
45 & 46
47 & 48
49 & 50

>=4,000 HP 3,000 - 3,999 HP 2,000 - 2,999 HP < 2,000 HP

11 www.railinc.com / THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW 2024

 SECTION 2
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE

LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

HIG H HOR S E P O W E R L OC OMO T I V E S DOMIN AT E A MONG A C UNI T S

Locomotives with a horsepower rating of 4,000 or higher dominate among AC diesel locomotives, which tend to
be newer. There are close to two-thirds more DC diesel locomotives in the North American fleet than AC units
(figure 8). However, DC units are more evenly distributed by horsepower rating, with locomotives with horsepower
ratings of less than 4,000 making up the largest share.

FIGURE 8 : NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

HORSEPOWER BY POWER TYPE [ ACTIVE LOCOMOTIVES IN UMLER ]

30,000

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0
AC DC

>=4,000 HP 3,000 - 3,999 HP 2,000 - 2,999 HP < 2,000 HP

12 www.railinc.com / THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW 2024

 SECTION 2
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE

LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

S I X- A X L E L O C OMO T I V E S C OMP R I S E L A RGE S T P E RCE N TA GE OF F L E E T

Six-axle locomotives make up 68 percent of the North American locomotive fleet (figure 9). Six-axle locomotives
distribute the weight of a locomotive to the rails across more wheels and deliver tractive effort through more
wheels and traction motors. The majority of six-axle locomotives were built in the last 30 years.

FIGURE 9 : NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

FOUR-AXLE VS. SIX-AXLE BY YEAR [ ACTIVE LOCOMOTIVES IN UMLER ]

40,000

35,000

30,000

25,000 68%
69%
20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000 31% 32%

0
20
20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20
13

14

15

16

17

18

19

22
20

21

23

4-Axles 6-Axles

13 www.railinc.com / THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW 2024

 SECTION 2
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE

LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

RO A D UNI T S A ND S W I T C HE R S A C C OUN T F OR 9 0 P E RC E N T OF F L E E T
To distinguish locomotives used in road service from those used in switching service, Railinc has applied the
following definitions:

• A road unit is a locomotive with six axles and a horsepower rating of 2,500 or higher
• A switcher is a locomotive with four axles and up to 2,500 horsepower

Road units make up 67 percent of the North American locomotive fleet, while switchers account for about
23 percent of the population (figure 10). Locomotives with four axles and a horsepower rating higher than 2,500
make up 9 percent of the fleet. However, the industry shifted away from making this locomotive
type in the mid-1990s. Most additions of this type are refurbished units.

FIGURE 10 : NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

SERVICE TYPE BY YEAR [ ACTIVE LOCOMOTIVES IN UMLER ]

40,000

35,000

30,000
67%
25,000 68%

20,000

15,000

10,000
32%
23%
23%
5,000
8% 9%
0
20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20
13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

6-Axle, HP <=2,500 4-Axle, HP > 2,500 Switcher Road Unit

14 www.railinc.com / THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW 2024

 SECTION 2
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE

LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

L OC OM O T I V E S W I T H HIGHE S T F UE L C A PA C I T Y M A K E UP MOR E T H A N H A L F T HE F L E E T
Locomotives with fuel capacity of more than 4,500 gallons make up 57 percent of the North American fleet
(figure 11). This share has grown over the years, while the share of locomotives with fuel capacity between 3,500
and 4,500 gallons continues to decrease (down 3 percentage points since 2013). This is consistent with the
recent trend of the fleet adding new high-horsepower, six-axle locomotives, which have larger fuel tanks.

FIGURE 11 : NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

FUEL CAPACITY BY YEAR [ ACTIVE LOCOMOTIVES IN UMLER ]

40,000

35,000

30,000
57%
25,000
53%
20,000

15,000
20% 17%
10,000 23%

5,000 26%
27%
0
20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20
13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

up to 3,500 gallons 3,500 - 4,500 gallons over 4,500 gallons

15 www.railinc.com / THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW 2024

 SECTION 2
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE

LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

L OC OM O T I V E S W I T H L A RGE F UE L TA NK S A C C OUN T F OR MO S T A DDI T ION S T O F L E E T

Over the last 30 years, locomotives with fuel capacity greater than 4,500 gallons have accounted for 82 percent
of additions of the North American fleet (figure 12). About 1,220 new locomotives with fuel capacity between
3,500 and 4,500 gallons were added to the fleet during that time. This is consistent with the recent trend of the
fleet adding new high-horsepower, six-axle locomotives, which have larger fuel tanks.

FIGURE 12 : NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

FUEL CAPACITY BY AGE [ ACTIVE LOCOMOTIVES IN UMLER ]

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0
1&2

11 & 12
13 & 14
15 & 16
17 & 18
19 & 20
3&4
5&6
7&8
9 & 10

21 & 22
23 & 24
25 & 26
27 & 28
29 & 30
31 & 32
33 & 34
35 & 36
37 & 38
39 & 40
41 & 42
43 & 44
45 & 46
47 & 48
49 & 50

> 4,500 gallons 3,500 – 4,500 gallons <= 3,500 gallons

16 www.railinc.com / THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW 2024

 SECTION 3
C ONC L U S ION
In Railinc’s annual review of the North American
locomotive fleet, data showed that the fleet
size declined in 2023. The total size of the fleet
decreased by 0.4 percent from year-end 2022 to
year-end 2023. The year-over-year rate of change
was once again negative but showed a smaller
decrease than the previous year.. Locomotives have
long service lives, and their average and median
ages both increased in 2023.
17 www.railinc.com / THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW 2024
CONCLUSION
High-horsepower, AC locomotives with six axles
continue to drive change in fleet demographics.
Locomotives with a horsepower rating of 4,000 or
above have dominated among new additions to the
fleet since the mid-1990s. AC diesel locomotives,
which perform well at hauling heavy loads, account
for the majority of the new additions to the fleet in
the last decade. And locomotives with the highest
fuel capacity — more than 4,500 gallons — make
up the largest percentage of the fleet.
 SECTION 3
CONCLUSION

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18 www.railinc.com / THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW 2024

 SECTION 3
UML E R S Y S T E M
The Umler system is the mission-critical
source for reliable rail equipment data.
With more than two million pieces of rail
equipment data in its inventory and nearly
one million real-time updates each month,
the Umler system is a powerful and dynamic
tool for tracking the physical characteristics,
transportation management and pool
assignments of virtually every piece of rail
equipment in North America.
IMPORTANT NOTE: ACCESS TO ALL RAILINC DATA IS
SUBJECT TO RAILINC’S STRICT DATA ACCESS POLICY
AND CONFIDENTIALITY PROTOCOLS.
19 www.railinc.com / THE NORTH AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE REVIEW 2024
CONCLUSION
T R A N S ME T R IQ A N A LY T IC S & IN S IG H T S
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system with TransmetriQ Analytics. The
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