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BNSF Railway Co. considers itself a leader in environmental stewardship, and the Class I's latest move is an attempt to stay ahead of the "green" curve.

The railroad recently teamed up with Vehicle Projects L.L.C. to develop an experimental hydrogen fuel-cell switcher that not only would reduce air emissions and cut fuel usage, but serve as a mobile back-up power source for military and civilian disaster-relief efforts. The parties plan to begin field testing the switcher later this year.

"We believe that it is good business to minimize our impact on the planet and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the communities we serve," said Craig Hill, BNSF vice president of mechanical and value engineering, in a prepared statement. "While it's not a proven technology and the project is still in its infancy, we believe investments like the fuel-cell switch locomotive are important for the advancement of new technology."