New Locomotives Have 60% Fewer Emissions

Union Pacific recently upgraded a large portion of its switch locomotive fleet to a new, ultra-low-emission engines. They started in California (of course) but have expanded the project throughout their entire network, encompassing 23 states.

The new locomotives have been tested by each state individually (most recently by Texas). The locomotives passed Texas' emissions standards, and then beat them by 50%. They produce 60% less NOx and particulate emissions and use up to 30% less fuel. Of course, that means 30% less greenhouse emissions as well.

Sometimes it feels like older technology isn't worth improving, but this is a significant leap in efficiency for a vehicle that has been basically unchanged for 50 years.

Via BizJournals (thanks to Preston)

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"basically unchanged for a hundred years
written by chris, December 13, 2007

"this is a significant leap in efficiency for a vehicle that has been basically unchanged for a hundred years."

uhhhhhhhhh...one hundred years trains used steam engines, VERY inefficient. Today we use diesel electric, much more different and efficient, no?

...
written by Steve, December 13, 2007

Sometimes it feels like older technology isn't worth improving, but this is a significant leap in efficiency for a vehicle that has been basically unchanged for a hundred years.

I would bet that trains still do a hefty share of most of the transport in the US...AND... will do a lot more, again, in an energy poorer future. Just as buses are more efficient than everyone driving a car, freight trains are more efficient then every company doing trucks.

It is so nice to read about a big green improvement being done, instead of being a promise for the future.

But they still didn't bother to improve
written by weee, December 13, 2007

OK, so aerodynamic drag increases at the square of the speed and they don't travel very quickly but over the life of the locomotive it would have added up to noticeable improvement.

Aerodynamics not important in this case
written by Patrick, December 13, 2007

These were switch engines - the engines that run around railyards hooking up cars. They never get much past 15-20 mph, so improved aerodynamics would really not do anything in this case.

And in general, a freight train is such an aerodynamic nightmare that I don't think a nice smooth fairing would do any good at all - you are still pulling a half mile of freight cars with everything and the kitchen sink hanging out.

trains and aero
written by Hank, December 14, 2007

Generally aerodynamics aren't a big deal for trains. Only when they start pushing 80 mph does it become a significant portion of the energy they expend. That's why you see the high-speed trains with their long pointy noses, but freight trains average just above 50 mph.

And patrick has a point, if you're hauling cars of all different shapes and sizes (shipping containers, truck beds, automobile crates, coal bins, lumber...just strapped on) then there's no way to make anything aerodynamic.

It's the train, not the technology.
written by socialscientist, December 19, 2007

How many bullet trains began service in 2007?
in the U.S.A. --- ???? in China --- ????

answers at
http://frepubtra.blogspot.com/2007/11/whats-score.html

.

...
written by Audi Driveshaft, January 01, 2008

The 2008 Audi A6 is available as a sedan and Avant (wagon). The sedan comes in 3.2 and 4.2 trim levels, and these numbers roughly correspond to the size of engine fitted. The Avant comes in the 3.2 trim only. Standard features on the 3.2 sedan include 18-inch alloy wheels, wood interior trim, a trip computer, leather seating, power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, Audi's MMI control interface and a 10-speaker stereo with a glovebox-mounted CD changer and satellite radio. The 3.2 Avant is similar but adds a sunroof. The top-of-the-line 4.2 sedan provides adaptive xenon headlights, a sunroof, heated front seats, auto-dimming mirrors, upgraded leather upholstery and driver memory settings.

-1

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