June 12, 2009

Union Pacific Greens Refrigerated Boxcars

Bookmark and Share Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Refrigerated rail boxcars that carry fresh produce, dairy and meats are getting a greener look at Union Pacific, which has invested $18 million in the past two years to bring its nearly 5,000 refrigerated boxcars into compliance with California Air Resource Board standards that take effect July 17.

Improvements include new Tier IVi diesel refrigeration units on more than 700 boxcars in the first half of 2009, according to a press release. The units will reduce diesel particulate emissions by 50 percent over the previous refrigeration unit, Union Pacific said.

A train of 100 of Union Pacific’s 64-foot refrigerated boxcars takes the equivalent of 350 to 400 trucks off America’s congested highways, said Lori Loschen, Senior Business Director of Agricultural Products at Union Pacific.

The boxcars utilize global positioning satellite monitoring to track trip progress, temperature sensors and fresh-air exchange equipment.

On a rolling 12-month basis, the refrigerated boxcars have moved more than 46,000 units or more than 2.8 million tons of fresh produce, Tom Lange, Director of Corporate Communications for Omaha, Neb.-based Union Pacific, told The Packer.

Bookmark and Share Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Join the Discussion

Get EL Daily in your inbox, subscribe to free newsletter

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

  • 11/06/2009
  • 11/05/2009
  • 11/04/2009

Industry Voices [ see all ]

Greening the Automotive Supply Chain

Greening the Automotive Supply Chain

A Roadmap for a Renewable Energy Partnership

A Roadmap for a Renewable Energy Partnership

Forest Carbon Core to Climate Change Deal

Forest Carbon Core to Climate Change Deal

ARPA-E Deserves Support

ARPA-E Deserves Support

VCS and CarbonFix Tops in Review of Forestry Carbon Standards

VCS and CarbonFix Tops in Review of Forestry Carbon Standards