Wabtec Providing ECP Braking Equipment For Rio Tinto Locomotives In Australia

WILMERDING, Pa., July 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) is providing electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) braking equipment for 159 locomotives for Rio Tinto, a leading international mining company, in Australia.  The contract, valued at about $28 million, includes equipment, software, test benches and aftermarket support.

In 2011, Wabtec signed a separate, $21 million contract to provide ECP equipment for Rio Tinto to retrofit its fleet of iron ore freight cars.

"The advantages of electronic braking have been proven in commercial use by railroads around the world," said Albert J. Neupaver, Wabtec's president and chief executive officer.  "Rio Tinto's continued investment in this technology demonstrates that heavy-haul railroads can deploy ECP to reduce cycle times and improve train handling, and we are pleased to be part of their conversion project." 

With standard pneumatic brake equipment, the brakes are applied and released throughout the train sequentially, one car after another.  ECP equipment uses an electronic signal to apply and release the brakes simultaneously throughout the train.  As a result, ECP-equipped trains can operate safely at higher speeds with up to a 60 percent reduction in stopping distance.  This leads to improved throughput and capacity, reduced wear on wheels, rails and brake shoes, and improved efficiency with a favorable return on investment.

Wabtec Corporation (www.wabtec.com) is a global provider of technology-based products and services for rail and other industrial markets. Through its subsidiaries, the company manufactures a range of products for locomotives, freight cars and passenger transit vehicles. The company also builds new switcher and commuter locomotives, and provides aftermarket services. The company has facilities located throughout the world.

SOURCE Wabtec Corporation

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