BNSF to use low-emission diesel-hybrids in Los Angeles, Texas

BNSF to use low-emission diesel-hybrids in Los Angeles, Texas    BNSF Railway Co. said Monday it will keep its low-emission diesel-hybrid “green goat series” locomotive in service for five years in the Los Angeles area and purchase four cabless green goat units from RailPower Technologies Corp. for use in Texas.
   The hybrid locomotive is powered by large banks of storage batteries. When the locomotive is not running, a small low-emissions diesel engine on board recharges the batteries.
   BNSF’s said it already operates four Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) locomotives in the Los Angeles area.
   The four cabless hybrid locomotives to be used in Texas will be delivered later this year. BNSF was awarded clean-air grants in July 2004 by the Texas Emissions Reduction Program for implementation of the hybrid technology.
   The remote-controlled locomotives BNSF will use in Texas are the first of their kind made by RailPower, and the operator will be able to control the locomotive from onboard or trackside using a portable RC system. “Remote control is a growing trend in switching service as railroads seek to reduce costs and make yards even more efficient. At the beginning of this year, there were an estimated 1,500 systems in use by North American carriers, including 23 U.S. railroads,” said Jim Maier, RailPower’s president and chief executive officer.