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Yesterday, CSX Transportation, the Michigan Department of Transportation and Southeast Michigan Council of Governments took the wraps off two generator-set (GenSet) locomotives at the railroad's Rougemere Yard in Dearborn, Mich.
 
The GenSets — the first low-emission switchers to be deployed in Michigan and within CSXT's 23-state network, the Class I said — are designed to reduce nitrous oxide and particulate matter emissions by 80 percent, and cut fuel usage about 50 percent compared with a conventional switcher.

CSXT acquired the locomotives through a public-private partnership with the state of Michigan. Railroad and state officials are negotiating the purchase of two additional switchers.

CSXT has invested more than $1 billion to upgrade its locomotive fleet with emission-reducing and fuel-saving technologies. Since 1980, the Class I has improved its fuel efficiency by about 80 percent.

Meanwhile, switching railroad Central California Traction Co. (CCT) is getting closer to using a GenSet switcher at its Stockton, Calif., operation. The railroad recently completed an operational test of National Railway Equipment Co.'s N-ViroMotive™ switcher at the Port of Stockton and on its mainline.

The two-engine, 1,400-horsepower, four-axle unit is U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified as an ultra-low-emitting GenSet locomotive. CCT noted fuel savings of 61 percent during an eight-hour shift and improved traction while testing the N-ViroMotive locomotive, according to National Railway Equipment.

"The locomotive's adhesion was very impressive. It consistently pulled ... the same tonnage as two of CCT's SW 1500 units up a 2 percent grade," said CCT General Manager Dave Buccolo in a prepared statement.

CCT, which operates seven locomotives, interchanges with BNSF Railway Co., Union Pacific Railroad and Stockton Terminal & Eastern Railroad.