U.S. Steel, Norfolk Southern, Greenbrier Collaborate on Sustainable Railcars

By Colin Kellaher

A trio of U.S. industrial and transportation companies on Thursday have joined forces to create a new, more sustainable steel gondola railcar to help address an aging freight railroad industry fleet.

Steelmaker U.S. Steel Corp., freight railroad Norfolk Southern Corp. and railcar maker Greenbrier Cos. said the new design reduces the weight of the railcar, which lessens carbon emissions, while extending the useful life of the gondolas, which are used to transport loose bulk material.

The companies said Greenbrier, based in Lake Oswego, Ore., will make the new gondolas using high-strength, lighter-weight steel developed by Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel, reducing the unloaded weight of the railcars by up to 15,000 pounds.

Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern will initially buy 800 of the new gondolas.

The companies said the new steel is twice as strong as traditional steel used in the railcar manufacturing process, potentially extending the useful life of each gondola to 50 years, while a stronger external finish strengthens the railcar body, lowering maintenance costs.

Write to Colin Kellaher at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 09, 2021 06:36 ET (11:36 GMT)

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