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On Friday, Canadian Pacific announced it recently partnered with Natural Resources Canada to conduct a biodiesel pilot project under the National Renewable Diesel Demonstration Initiative. The pilot marks the first time biodiesel will be used in Canadian rail service during cold weather.

The Canadian government plans to require an average 5 percent renewable fuel content based on the national gasoline pool by 2010, and an average 2 percent renewable content in diesel fuel and heating oil by 2011 or earlier.

For five months, CP will operate four GE AC4400 diesel locomotives with FDL-16 engines in captive service between Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. The Class I will work in conjunction with GE Transportation and fuel supplier 4Refuels during the testing phase, which began in early November and will conclude at March’s end.

CP will perform detailed mechanical examinations of the test locomotives during the pilot. Gathered data will be used to determine if a 5 percent biodiesel mixture has any significant adverse effects on motive power in cold-climate operations.