Progress Rail Wabtec Confirms 2023 Antitrust Lawsuit Settlement US

[UNITED STATES] – Rail equipment suppliers Progress Rail and Wabtec Corp. have reached a settlement in an antitrust case, resolving litigation that began in 2023. In a joint statement issued on February 26, 2026, the companies agreed the resolution was in the best interest of all parties, including customers. Neither company admitted liability as part of the agreement.

What Is the Full Scope of This Case?

The legal action centered on allegations of antitrust conduct by Wabtec, prompting a request for a federal judge to mandate the divestiture of a transportation unit Wabtec acquired in 2019. The settlement concludes all litigation related to this matter, with both entities acknowledging their ongoing roles as key suppliers of long-haul freight locomotives and related components. The specific financial terms or operational conditions of the settlement were not made public.

Key Case Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Cases?

Direct comparisons to other antitrust settlements in the locomotive manufacturing sector are difficult, as the financial terms of such agreements are rarely disclosed publicly. The duopolistic nature of the North American heavy-haul locomotive market means that legal disputes between the primary suppliers are uncommon and their resolutions are typically kept confidential to avoid disclosing strategic financial information. Unlike public tenders, such as Alstom’s €1.03 billion train supply contract in Portugal, the value of legal settlements remains outside of public record.

Editor’s Analysis

This settlement allows both companies to avoid costly and distracting litigation at a time when both are demonstrating strong financial health. In 2025, Wabtec reported a 45% year-over-year increase in adjusted free cash flow, while Progress Rail cited profitable growth from its conversion and retrofit programs. Resolving this dispute enables management to focus on operational execution amid a mixed freight market, where new railcar orders have shown signs of softening while the broader logistics sector stabilizes (Source: FreightCar America, 2025).

FAQ

Q: What was the original lawsuit about?
A: The case began in 2023 with allegations of antitrust behavior against Wabtec Corp. The lawsuit sought to force Wabtec to divest a transportation unit it had acquired in a 2019 deal.

Q: Were any financial penalties paid as part of the settlement?
A: The financial terms of the settlement have not been disclosed by either Progress Rail or Wabtec. It is common for the monetary details of such corporate legal settlements to remain confidential.

Q: What is the impact of this settlement on the locomotive market?
A: The companies stated the agreement is beneficial for customers, suggesting it provides stability in the supply of Tier IV long-haul locomotives and cab components. It removes the uncertainty that prolonged litigation could have cast over the North American locomotive supply chain.