(Union Pacific issued the following article on October 20.)
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions at its Houston and Fort Worth rail yards by introducing 10 new low-emission, hybrid locomotives.
The state-of-the-art hybrid-technology locomotives, called “Green Goats,” are designed to cut air emissions by 80 percent and reduce diesel fuel use by 40 percent compared to conventional diesel-powered locomotives used in switching service. The units will operate in rail yards, sorting out rail cars from inbound trains and assembling outbound trains. Three already are on site, with the remainder expected by year-end.
“These hybrid locomotives are part of the company’s commitment to air quality in Texas,” said Bob Grimaila, vice president-environment and safety. “Union Pacific is taking significant steps to improve and protect the environment.”
With the assistance of an incentive from the state of Texas to help improve air quality, the Green Goats are expected to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 260 tons annually at UP’s rail yards in Houston and Fort Worth. That’s the equivalent of eliminating the emissions of about 600 highway trucks. The Green Goats are in addition to the previously announced acquisition of 111 Gen-Set and MP20B-3 low-emission yard and road switchers.
In March 2002, Union Pacific became the first railroad to acquire and test the Green Goat in its Roseville, Calif., rail yard. The hybrid switcher is powered with large banks of batteries. When energy stored in the batteries is depleted to a pre-set level, a small, low-emission diesel engine automatically starts to power a generator that recharges the batteries.
“These hybrids will join the nation’s most environmentally friendly locomotive fleet,” said Grimaila. “Since January 2000, Union Pacific has acquired more than 2,000 new fuel-efficient locomotives that comply with stricter EPA standards. We also have retrofitted more than 1,000 of our older locomotives to meet the higher standards, while retiring 1,300 older locomotives during the same timeframe.”
The Green Goats were built by RailPower Technologies of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America’s leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country and serves the fastest- growing U.S. population centers. Union Pacific’s diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad offers competitive long-haul routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North America’s premier rail franchise.