Locomotive Products
HOTSTART manufactures a line of electric and diesel powered engine heating systems designed to allow idling locomotives to be shut down and easily restarted, even after days sitting in freezing weather. Equipping a locomotive with a HOTSTART block heater eliminates the problems with idling including wasted fuel and oil, wet-stacking, emissions, noise and engine wear. In 1942, HOTSTART began developing and manufacturing diesel engine block heaters for trucks and buses. In 1965, HOTSTART applied its engine heating experience to the railroad industry and developed layover heaters to eliminate costly locomotive idling. Now, over 4,000 HOTSTART locomotive systems are in use today with customers such as BNSF, MRL, Watco and Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway.
"We tested different APUs and found HOTSTART to be the best. Plus, their after sales support is fantastic."
- Claude Van Winkle, Chief Mechanical Officer
Montana Rail Link
"We've eliminated idling and pushed our maintenance out to engine run time. The HOTSTART units paid for themselves in one winter."
- Eric B. Levin, Chief Mechanical Officer
Juniata Terminal
"We are very happy with our HOTSTARTs. They have greatly reduced fuel consumption and operating costs."
- Brian Dauksavage, Finance Manager
Northern Plains Railroad
