Alternative Fuels

Identifying feasible and efficient fuel options is a national and a global challenge. We are doing our part by testing the fuel alternatives and exploring technology to support their use. As new fuel alternatives become economically and operationally feasible, we want to be ready to adapt our operation to those new fuels where we can.

In 2007, we became the first railroad to sponsor low-emissions natural gas hostler trucks to move containers within an intermodal facility. We're working with a contractor to use these trucks at our intermodal facility in Los Angeles, the nation's busiest rail intermodal terminal. These 10 hostler trucks reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate emissions by 90 percent compared with standard off-road diesel tractors. They are another important environmental milestone.

We've been testing low-emissions liquefied natural gas switch locomotives - one of the cleanest-burning locomotive technologies in existence. We're also working with a partner and the U.S. Department of Defense to develop an experimental hydrogen fuel cell switch locomotive. This experimental technology has the potential to reduce air pollution and is not dependent on oil for fuel.