California Air Resources Board

Locomotive Fuel Effects Study: Particulate Size Characterization (January 2000)

This project was an experimental program intended to characterize the size distribution of exhaust particles from a locomotive engine. Particulate characterization by particle size included the volatile organic carbon content, elemental analysis, and anion and cation mass emission rates. The work was performed to determine the particulate composition and how the particulate characteristics change in relation to the size of particle. Exhaust emission and fuel consumption measurements were performed using a 4,400 hp, General Electric (GE), model DASH9-44CW locomotive, provide by Union Pacific Railroad (UP).

Diesel Fuel Effects on Locomotive Exhaust Emissions (October 2000)

This project quantified the exhaust emissions from two types of locomotive engines using selected diesel fuels. Locomotive exhaust emission and fuel consumption measurements were performed using three fuels on six locomotives: three high-power, late-model EMD, and three high-power, late-model GE locomotives were tested. A fourth fuel was added after the program began, and was tested in the three GE locomotives. Locomotive selection was the responsibility of the participating railroads, which were the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), and the Union Pacific Railroad (UP).

Testing was performed at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) Locomotive Exhaust Emissions Test Center in San Antonio, Texas. This unique facility was established in 1992 in cooperation with the Association of American Railroads (AAR), and is the only non-OEM facility capable of performing locomotive exhaust emission tests. To date, over 50 locomotives have been tested by SwRI in work for the AAR, the OEM’s, and the U.S. EPA.

A Technical Oversight Committee composed of representatives from ARB, BNSF, UP, and the AAR was formed to provide SwRI with technical direction throughout the project’s duration.

Letter to U.S. EPA about improving diesel standards (January 12, 2004)