Zero-emissions Locomotive Unveiled

October 6, 2009

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A battery-operated locomotive promises to unleash no emissions during its operation, aside from emissions associated with charging its massive batteries.

A prototype 1,500-horsepower switching locomotive from Norfolk Southern Corp. relies on 1,080 12-volt batteries, reports the Boston Herald. Fully charged, it can operate for three shifts.

The NS 999 locomotive also uses its brakes for regenerative electricity. That element of the locomotive was developed by Brookville Equipment Co.

The introduction of an emissions-free switching locomotive can help urban railyards keep pollution in check. A planned intermodal facility in the Kansas City area has come under heavy criticism because of emissions that would be produced there.

Norfolk Southern cooperated with the U.S. Department of Energy, the Federal Railroad Administration and Penn State in developing the prototype, which benefited from a $1.3 million federal grant, according to a press release.

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Reader Comments

I think this is a great article, very informative. It was so great reading about something new I had not heard about yet, this is wonderful hearing about using batteries to run locomotives, why haven’t we been doing this already? Very well written article, kudos!

Caroline | October 7th, 2009

What’s the point of batteries, why not just put overhead power lines (or third rail) like anywhere else in the world. Batteries are far less then 100% efficient and there are loses in chargers too. Those energy loses are probably greater then loses in overhead lines. Then there’s production and recycling of all those batteries…

nighthawk | October 10th, 2009

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