UP beefs up fleet with environmentally friendly locomotives

Railway Age, Nov, 2004

Union Pacific has placed an order for 315 low-emission locomotives from GE and EMD for delivery in the first half of 2005. UP announced that the new units will satisfy Environmental Protection Agency "railroad Tier 2" emission regulations that become effective Jan. 1, 2005. More than one-third of the railroad's existing fleet of 7,861 locomotives are certified under EPA Tier O and Tier 1 emission regulations.

The new locomotives produce about the same horsepower as existing units, but reduce emissions by 40%. "A substantial number" of them will come from EMD, according to Curt Swensen, director-market development and communication at EMD.

UP had announced earlier that it was testing five GE Evolution Series units and two EMD SD70ACe units and was discussing manufacturing capacity with both builders.

The railroad also announced orders for switching locomotives. It has placed an order for a prototype low-emission switcher using two diesel engines designed for large, over-the-road trucks. The TES (truck engine switcher) is being developed by National Railway Equipment Co. for medium to heavy-duty switching. "The truck-engine diesels will power a generator in the same manner as conventional locomotives and will provide electricity to run the traction motors," said UP.

UP also is leasing a newer version of the RailPower Technologies hybrid Green Goat[R] switcher for light to medium switching. The Green Goat uses batteries to power its traction motors. The batteries are recharged as necessary by a 300-hp diesel-engine-driven generator.