Hydrogen Fuel Cells Hit the Rails: CSX and CPKC Drive Zero-Emission Locomotive Shift

CSX is making serious moves in the rail world, trading in diesel fumes for clean energy at one of its most iconic sites — the Huntington Locomotive Shop in West Virginia. With three hydrogen-powered locomotives already in action and a fourth set to roll out in 2025, this isn’t just a flashy pilot. It’s a meaningful step forward in the push for cleaner, smarter rail freight.

Breathing New Life into Old Locomotives

Teaming up with CPKC, CSX has been giving old diesel locomotives a second life through hydrogen fuel cell technology. Instead of building entirely new engines, they’re retrofitting existing ones. That means keeping key components like the traction motors, cab, and frame, and swapping in diesel-to-hydrogen conversion kits developed in Canada. The end result? Locomotives that run on hydrogen and emit nothing but a puff of water vapor. No smoke, no emissions, just clean rail power.

It’s a win across the board — extending the life of aging units, cutting carbon emissions, and making a meaningful dent in the environmental impact of freight. As Joe Hinrichs, CSX’s CEO, continues to champion the company’s bold decarbonization goals, this project proves that going green in heavy industry isn’t some far-off dream. It’s happening right now, on active tracks.

From Coal Town to Clean Tech Leader

Let’s talk about the location for a second. Huntington, West Virginia—a town once rooted in coal and industry—is turning the page. The Huntington Locomotive Shop has been a key player in American rail for over 100 years, and now, it’s taking center stage in the country’s clean energy push. Thanks to project lead Daniel Adkins and a skilled team of workers, the shop is transforming into a hub for zero-emission technology.

And there’s more to the story than just going green. The retrofit approach is a smart one — it’s cheaper, faster, and generates a lot less waste than building brand new locomotives. Plus, when it comes to long-term sustainable energy strategies, making what you already have more efficient just makes sense.

2025 and Beyond: One Train at a Time

By next year, CSX expects to have its fourth hydrogen-powered locomotive ready to roll. Sure, it’s not mass production yet, but each success adds fuel — pun intended — to the growing excitement around hydrogen infrastructure. Every completed unit shows that this model works, creating confidence among rail companies, clean energy partners, and investors alike.

Ideally, these trains will run on green hydrogen ideally, which has zero emissions. But even with traditional hydrogen, the benefits over diesel are huge. Hydrogen packs serious energy punch, and it’s easier to store and transport than battery power, particularly for long-distance routes. That’s big news for the freight world, which is always on the move.

More Than Just Hydrogen: CSX Thinks Bigger

The hydrogen push is just one piece of CSX’s bigger game plan. The company is also piloting battery-electric locomotives in Baltimore, using federal funding to put them through their paces. By exploring multiple low-carbon technologies, CSX is setting itself up to lead the rail industry into its next chapter — choosing the best tools for the job, not just following the trend.

And this push brings more than tech changes. It’s opening up all kinds of new job skills. Retrofitting locomotives with hydrogen fuel cells means workers are getting hands-on experience with next-gen systems — from diagnostics and safety to energy management. While some industries are struggling to adapt, CSX is offering its workforce a front-row seat to the future.

Laying the Tracks for the Future of Rail

This CSX-CPKC collaboration is more than mechanical — it’s symbolic. It shows that yes, a clean freight future is possible, and better yet, it’s already underway. The Huntington project proves that hydrogen fuel cells can handle the heavy lifting across North America’s rail system.

There couldn’t be a better moment. With tighter emissions rules, investor pressure, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) expectations rising, operators can’t afford to cling to diesel forever. Projects like this help bridge today and tomorrow — even if it’s just one locomotive at a time.

About CSX

CSX Corporation is one of America’s leading freight rail companies, managing over 20,000 miles of track across the country. Known for its drive toward innovation and sustainability, CSX continues to rethink how freight moves—pushing the envelope with cleaner, smarter, and more efficient rail technology.