eNews • October 2012
Promoting a Cost-Effective, Reliable and Competitive Transportation System

CN Tests Natural Gas-Powered Locomotives

Canadian National Railway (CN) is testing two locomotives fueled primarily by natural gas in northern Alberta, a major step in the railroad industry’s determination of whether the alternative fuel is feasible.

CN used conversion kits supplied by Energy Conversions to retrofit two 3,000-horsepower Electro Motive Diesel SD40-2 locomotives. CN said the retrofitted locomotives produce 30 percent less carbon dioxide emissions and 70 percent less nitrogen oxide emissions during the lifecycle of the equipment.

Natural gas fuels 90 percent of the locomotives, with diesel fuel kicking in 10 percent of the power for ignition. Minnesota-based Chart Industries is providing the tender unit, and Ecana Corp. is supplying the natural gas.

"Natural gas has a lower carbon content compared with diesel fuel, so that locomotives using natural gas — if the railway technology employing this form of energy ultimately proves viable — would produce significantly fewer carbon dioxide emissions,” said Keith Creel, CN executive vice president and chief operating officer.

The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story


The Soy Transportation Coalition is comprised of thirteen state soybean boards, the American Soybean Association, and the United Soybean Board. The National Grain and Feed Association and the National Oilseed Processors Association serve as ex-officio members of the organization.

Soy Transportation Coalition
1255 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy., Ankeny, Iowa 50023
Phone: (515) 727-0665 Fax (515) 251-8657
Email msteenhoek@soytransportation.org
Web www.soytransportation.org

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