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Union Pacific Railroad recently began a year-long field test in the Los Angeles area of a long-haul diesel electric-locomotive modified with aftermarket technology designed to reduce air emissions.

The Class I installed an oxidation catalyst filtering canister inside a 17-year-old locomotive’s diesel engine exhaust manifold. The special catalytic material can chemically reduce the amount of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter generated by a diesel engine.

UP also installed Global Positioning System sensors so researchers can remotely monitor how the oxidation catalyst is functioning. The locomotive’s emissions performance and maintenance requirements will be evaluated at the end of the test period.

Last month, the Class I began a similar field test in Oakland, Calif., to determine if an aftermarket exhaust system filter can reduce air emissions in older locomotives’ engines.