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In summer, Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) began retrofitting locomotives with new ultra-low-emission “Tier 3-plus” engines. An Anacostia & Pacific Co. Inc. subsidiary, PHL provides rail switching services to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif.

By early 2012, the short line expects to retrofit all 16 of its older locomotives, establishing one of the cleanest locomotive fleets in North America, PHL officials said in a prepared statement. The short line operates a total of 23 locomotives. The new Tier 3-plus engines are designed to emit 85 percent less diesel particulate matter and 38 percent less nitrogen oxide compared with previous-generation engines, PHL officials said. The new engines are being installed in Tacoma, Wash., by Progress Rail Services Corp.

“The older engines, which came online three years ago, had already reduced pollution dramatically compared to previous generations,” PHL officials said. “Overall, the Tier 3-plus engines represent a reduction of diesel particulates by 95.6 percent and nitrogen oxide by 67 percent compared to engines that were servicing the ports just five years ago.”

The ports entered into agreements with PHL that “made it possible for the railroad to commit to the long-term use of ultra-low-emission locomotives,” Long Beach port officials said.