New low emission locomotives headed to N.J.
Wednesday, June 10th, 2009
By: Fit Staff
mcampbell@whyy.org
By: Phil Gregory
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Three new low-emission locomotives are en route to rail switching yards in New Jersey.
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They're called GenSet locomotives and CSX Transportation Vice President Howard Elliott says they use less power and produce fewer emissions.
Elliot: GenSet locomotives reduce nitrous oxide and particulate matter by 80 percent and can reduce carbon dioxide by 50 percent. These ultra-low emission locomotives achieve such dramatic reductions through a combination of engine idling technology and a sleep mode that deactivates the power after a period of inactivity.
Elliott says he anticipates the technology will eventually be used to pull freight trains from major metropolitan areas throughout the country. State environmental officials say the locomotives already meet federal emissions standards that are not scheduled to take effect until 2015.