Montreal buys ‘green' locomotive

- The Montreal Port Authority has signed a US$1.6m agreement with R.J. Corman Railpower to purchase the next generation of environmentally-friendly locomotives, with an option for four additional units.

Using multiple-generator GenSet technology developed by Railpower in Canada, the locomotives provide a total of 2,000 horsepower but can reduce diesel consumption through a power-regulating device that can use one, two or all three generators, depending on the size of the task at hand.

Additionally, when the locomotive is stationary for more than five minutes, the on-board computer automatically selects a standby mode, shutting off all the generators so that no emissions are produced. In this way the system can reduce fuel consumption by 30% and cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50%.

The Port’s dockside rail system makes it possible to bring trains loaded with containers alongside the ship.

"We are proud to have made the replacement of its locomotive fleet an opportunity to work towards substantial reductions of diesel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions," stated Sylvie Vachon, president and CEO, of the Montreal Port Authority.

The purchase was made with federal assistance under Transport Canada’s ecoFREIGHT programme.

(Source: Container Management)