A new deal between Wabtec and Union Pacific Railroad to modernize 600 locomotives may bring jobs to the Wabtec Erie plant.

According to Wabtec, the deal is worth over $1 billion, making it the largest investment into modernized locomotives in railroad history.

The modernization of locomotives will allow them to run more efficiently, while also being able to last longer and haul more cargo. Wabtec says through the modernization, each of the 600 locomotives will produce "approximately 350 tons of carbon reduction per locomotive per year."

"It's hugely impactful because it's going to significantly improve performance of the locomotives," says Robert Bremmer, Group Vice President of Product Management at Wabtec. "So it'll improve the reliability, it'll improve the fuel efficiency, the sustainability, so a reduction in overall greenhouse gas carbon emissions, and it'll improve their haulage ability, meaning they can run longer, heavier trains than they were before."

Additionally, the new deal could potentially bring new demand for jobs at the plant.

"We'll have engineering support, product management support, project management, material, so really a lot of effort from many locations," continued Bremmer. "But specifically Erie will have a huge impact and effort in delivering these units."

The union that covers the Wabtec plant, United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers Local 506, was also optimistic about what the deal could mean for jobs.

"We've recalled a little over 300 of the employees we've had laid off," says Scott Slawson, President of the UE Local 506. "We're expecting to hire another 100 to 150 more before the year is out."

The deal also helps Union Pacific in reaching it's goal of net zero emissions by 2050, and Wabtec says the deal will use approximately 70,000 tons of reused and recycled steel, "the equivalent of more than 51,000 passenger cars."