https://www.progressiverailroading.com/canadian_national/news/CN-launches-hybrid-locomotive-pilot-project–73681?oly_enc_id=0240G5852612I5U&utm_medium=email&utm_source=prdailynews&utm_campaign=prnewsletter-2025
“The 3,200-medium-horsepower hybrid unit is built on a traditional CN low-horsepower locomotive operating in yards and branch lines. It includes a modern control system, increased horsepower of up to 60%, powered by a 2.4MWh-700HP battery-diesel engine that is 100% biofuel ready. The hybrid system targets up to approximately 50% reduction in fuel consumption compared to a typical locomotive used in similar operations today.”
Presumably this is like a hybrid auto. Battery powered initially but backed up by a diesel engine to run a generator and recharge the batteries. And burns biodiesel.
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Not sure I understand. All locomotives are hybrid, you couldn’t put the heavy and expensive gear transmission linkages necessary to convert pure combustion engine power to the various stages of locomotion as you can with a car. So all railroad locomotives take diesel (or whatever) power and convert it to electricity, which drives the wheels.
So this is “we have some batteries on board” kind of hybrid? OK, doesn’t sound like a very big deal. Maybe I’m not seeing the scale properly or something 
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The traction motors that drive the locomotive are electric and between the wheels. With hybrid power comes from precharged batteries until batteries are depleted. Then diesel kicks in to recharge the batteries.
Presumably batteries replace some of the fuel tanks and perhaps smaller diesel engine is used. Ideal is locomotive pulls tender with large batteries. Can swap out tenders and continue working while other one charges. Battery powered locomotive but with diesel to get you home when batteries are depleted.
The problem is diesel engines are hard to start cold. Usually start when they leave the shop and run continuously until they return for service. When parked usually idling with controls chained. They say restarting a cold diesel is difficult due to lubrication problems and possible oil leaks. Better to keep them idling. Less than ideal compared to auto hybrids.