G&W Georgia short lines seek FRA's OK to pilot zero-emissions rail technology

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) subsidiaries Georgia Central Railway LP (GC) and Heart of Georgia Railroad Inc. (HOG) on Aug. 10 filed a petition with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to pilot new zero-emission rail-freight technology from Parallel Systems on portions of their rail lines.

If approved, the multiphased pilot would begin next year and be overseen by the FRA, G&W and Parallel Systems, enabling G&W and Parallel Systems to demonstrate the technology in a field setting while using protocols to ensure the pilot is operated in a safe and controlled manner, G&W officials said in a press release.

GC and HOG officials believe the development and anticipated adoption of this technology has the potential to capture new container business moving to and from the Port of Savannah, as well as reinvigorate traffic on rural rail lines and revive inland ports in Georgia. Such efforts also would help remove trucks from the region’s roads and reduce carbon emissions, G&W officials said.