GE Evolution Series locomotive powered by natural gas in the United States

An alternative fuel locomotive refers to a locomotive that is not powered by oil or coal based fuels. In the 21st century, a variety of technologies are being experimentally tried as alternative fuels, including hydrogen, liquified natural gas, and compressed natural gas.[1]

Types

Hydrogen

Main article: Hydrail

In the United States, BNSF Railway tested a hydrogen powered switcher locomotive in 2008 and 2009, in partnership with the United States Army.[2]

Battery electric

Main article: Battery electric locomotive

Several railroads have tested battery electric locomotives, which operate based on rechargeable batteries and have zero greenhouse gas emissions.[2] Compared to conventional diesel locomotives, battery electric locomotives are quieter and cleaner, but require charging stations to support their use.[3] At least one instance of a battery electric locomotive, for the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad, was funded by a state government grant supporting improvements to air quality.[3] As of 2022, battery electric locomotives are only a small part of the locomotive fleet in North America, which numbers approximately 39,000.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Liquid and Compressed Natural Gas as Locomotive Fuels" (PDF). Federal Railroad Administration. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Cleveland, Michael (March 27, 2019). "BNSF's Alternative Fuels" (PDF). energy.gov. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Litvak, Anya (February 3, 2022). "On track for a zero-carbon locomotive, Wabtec is on step 2". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
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