International Railroad Discussion > The first pics of FMG SD70BBJ made in Brazil

Here are two pics of the battery powered EMD SD70BBJ " Joule" made in Brazil to FMG in Australia. EMD / Progress Rail of Brazil made two units for them that are on the road on trucks right now on way to Rio de Janeiro port. Pics it said from FMG group during a visit to EMD/ Progress Rail plant in Sete Lagoas, MG Brazil.

Pedro

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,

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Very interesting looking. Thanks pedrop.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/27/25 13:56 by longliveSP.

Yo Rezende!  Good work!  In Australia, the units still be BB+BB?
Obrigado

Sven

Still going to be BB+BB in Austrailia and in the USA when ever the handfull UP ordered gets built

SvenMolson Wrote:
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> Yo Rezende!  Good work!  In Australia, the units
> still be BB+BB?
> Obrigado
>
> Sven

Yes, sir! 

SvenMolson Wrote:
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> Yo Rezende!  Good work!  In Australia, the units
> still be BB+BB?
> Obrigado
>
> Sven

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

Nice looking power!!

Larry

Interesting. I've been waiting for your first shots. Thanks

BHP has two SD70J-BB on order as well. UP units are not the same size or type as the ones for Australia as they will be used in yard service -- I suspect the will be six-axle units. https://www.trains.com/pro/mechanical/locomotives/up-announces-purchase-of-10-flxdrive-battery-electric-locomotives/

From the FMG facebook page:

Fortescue charges ahead to Real Zero with world-first mainline battery locomotives. 🚆 This December, we’ll welcome two Battery Electric Locomotives (BELs) from Progress Rail. Each carries an impressive 14.5 MWh of energy, making them the largest battery-powered mobile assets in the world. We've collaborated with Progress Rail to design a scalable, zero-emission rail solution that provides a pathway for heavy industry to decarbonise today, not tomorrow. Making their way from Brazil, these BELs are bound for the Pilbara, ready to hit the tracks and start cutting emissions from day one. Congratulations to our Rail Decarb team for bringing this vision to life and preparing the locomotives for their journey to Australia. A true example of what partnership and collaboration can achieve together. 💪

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/28/25 17:25 by pedrop.

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Great photos Pedro! Thanks for posting these. 

Looks like the bogies are basically the same as the SD70ACe-BB adjusted for gauge along with a change to the vertical primary damper arrangement.

Dave