(The Associated Press circulated the following on January 28.)
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific says it has taken a number of steps to reduce the amount of energy it consumes and restrict pollutants that the railroad’s older diesel locomotives spew into the air.
The railroad has become more efficient partly by encouraging its engineers to run locomotives conservatively without using more horsepower than needed. Engineers with the best records receive rewards.
UP says it saved more than 20 million gallons of diesel fuel last year.
Union Pacific is also upgrading its fleet of 7,500 locomotives to newer, more efficient models. It is also testing two different systems that could be added to older locomotives to catch pollutants before they escape into the air.