An Investigation and Analysis of Norfolk Southern Railway’s BP4 Battery Locomotive ProjectScanlon, Thomas BP4NSNorfolk SouthernNS 999BatteryLocomotiveRailRailroadRailwayElectricBattery LocomotiveBattery-Electric LocomotiveHybrid LocomotiveAlternative Fuel LocomotiveTrainSustainableSustainabilityZero EmissionsZero-Emission LocomotiveNS BP4Norfolk Southern BP4Norfolk Southern 999999Lead-AcidLead-CarbonLithium-IonRail EngineeringClass IDecarbonizationGreenRegenerative BrakingBattery ManagementNorfolk Southern Sustainability InitiativesRail Transportation EngineeringB S Norfolk Southern Railway’s (NS) BP4 battery locomotive project was one of the earliest major studies exploring the use of battery technology in 21st-century rail propulsion. The project combined laboratory analysis with practical testing of an NS-built prototype locomotive (known as the “BP4”) to support the development of battery-based rail propulsion technology and analytical models simulating the operating characteristics and impacts of hybrid (i.e., combined battery and diesel-electric) locomotives. Despite its early contributions to modern battery locomotive research, the BP4 project has been subject to significant public criticism and has developed a largely negative reputation. A thorough analysis of the BP4 project was conducted to determine whether its negative public perception is justified, utilizing information from technical reports, project publications, and personal interviews with engineering and administrative personnel involved in the project. The analysis focused on the BP4 project’s technical challenges, research contributions, primary findings, and reasons for cancellation, and compared them to criticisms commonly expressed by the public. The results of the analysis suggested that the BP4 project’s poor reputation is largely unjustified, with much of its negative public perception appearing to be based on misconceptions regarding the project’s objectives, timeline, and results. A clear understanding of the BP4 project’s achievements and obstacles, as well as how it developed its negative reputation, can help inform those involved in future battery locomotive initiatives and support the technical and public success of their research.Shihui Shen, Thesis SupervisorLisa Ann Emili, Thesis Honors Advisoropen_access2026-04-06T23:32:46Zhttps://honors.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/10077tjs6990