The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and rail company Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) have commissioned the first of a new fleet of lower-emission, clean-diesel locomotives which, they say, will improve air quality and make PHL the most environmentally friendly switching railroad in the USA.

Low-emission locos for Long Beach

Replacement of existing locomotives is part of an agreement between the ports and PHL, which provides switching services for port customers and despatching for all BNSF Railway and Union Pacific trains within the ports.

The new locomotives, fitted with remanufactured engines, emit 70% fewer diesel particulates and 46% less nitrogen oxides. The new engines also cut greenhouse gases by burning 30% less fuel. So far, four clean-diesel engines have been delivered to PHL, with two more due to arrive each month throughout the year. The cost of the US$23m project is being shared by PHL and the ports.

“This pioneering transformation of PHL’s locomotive fleet is a prime example of the type of public-private partnerships that we will need to make these the ‘greenest’ ports in the world,” said Richard D Stenke, executive director of the Port of Long Beach.