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Union Pacific Railroad and Progress Rail Services plan to launch the initial operation of an ultra-clean diesel SD40-2 locomotive equipped for intermediate line-haul service.

The Progress Rail PR30C-LoNOx locomotive has been re-powered with a single 3,005-horsepower, low-emission, Caterpillar clean-diesel engine. The unit meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 2 emission standards and is retrofitted with an advanced emission-control system.

Later this month, the locomotive will begin initial UP operations via a revenue-service run between the San Antonio and Fort Worth, Texas, service units.

"We are excited about the prospects of bringing more environmentally friendly locomotives into service while still meeting our operational needs," said Bob Grimaila, UP’s senior assistant vice president of safety and environment, in a prepared statement.

UP and Progress Rail plan to develop and test additional prototypes, which also will be powered by Caterpillar 3,005-horsepower diesel engines and retrofitted with ultra-clean diesel equipment.

Meanwhile, UP named Bernardo Ayala vice president-Mexico markets and John Newman, assistant VP of the newly formed network and industrial development group.

Ayala succeeds Drew Collier, who retired at April’s end after serving the Western Pacific and Union Pacific for 30 years. Ayala will be responsible for managing the railroad’s marketing operations in Mexico, including sales and customer support based throughout the United States and Mexico. He previously held various positions in UP’s premium operations and transportation departments, and held various posts at the National Railways of Mexico and Ferromex.

Most recently executive director-interline, Newman will be responsible for interline customer relationships, industrial development and commercial relationships with the many UP-served ports. He previously held various finance and marketing/sales posts since joining UP in 1991.