Utilizing Genset Technology in Locomotive Power at Intermodal Railyard Operations

In the Intermodal industry, locomotive engines are used to move railcar mounted containers from dockside to truck distribution centers. The United State Government Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for diesel engine emissions have had a significant impact on the emission standards for locomotive engines, including those utilized in intermodal operations. In this paper, the author reviews the EPA emission standards for locomotives used in intermodal transfer operations. These locomotives fall into the yard switching category. In addition, the author presents the emissions data on conventional locomotives historically used for yard switching operations in the intermodal industry. The intermodal industry can meet the EPA emission standards by replacing conventional locomotive engines with modern, low emissions diesel engines. Utilizing Genset technology in locomotive power at intermodal railyard operations provides the industry with a sustainable, lower environmental impact option than conventional locomotive power. NOx emissions can be reduced by as much as 84%. Fuel consumption is a major operating cost component for yard switching at intermodal sites. The author presents comparative data on yard switching locomotive fuel consumption to use as a basis for evaluating the cost of using Genset locomotive power. Fuel savings of up to 65% have been realized in some switching operations. Operational staff in the intermodal industry will be concerned with the tractive effort of the switching locomotives. In this paper, the author summarizes how to calculate tractive effort, and presents comparative data on the tractive effort provided by conventional yard switching locomotives vs Genset locomotives. The LEAF Genset locomotive delivers greater tractive effort utilizing a 600 HP engine than conventional switch engines of up to 1750 HP.

• Record URL:
  http://esitac.biz.hamptonu.edu/media/docs/ncit2012_proceedings_rev20121214.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Eastern Seaboard Intermodal Transportation Applications Center

  Hampton University
  Hampton, VA  United States  23668
• Authors:
  • Mahoney, T J
• Conference:
  • 1st National Conference on Intermodal Transportation: Problems, Practices, and Policy
  • Location: Hampton Virginia
  • Date: 2012-10-11 to 2012-10-12
• Publication Date: 2012-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 126-132
• Monograph Title: Proceedings of 1st National Conference on Intermodal Transportation: Problems, Practices, and Policies

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Diesel locomotives; Environmental impacts; Exhaust gases; Fuel consumption; Intermodal yards; Nitrogen oxides; Operating costs; Switching locomotives; Tractive forces; Yard operations
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment; I15: Environment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01495249
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 9 2013 12:21PM