OMAHA, Neb. — The major freight railroads across North America continue to experiment with alternative locomotive fuels as a way to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
BNSF railroad said Wednesday that it plans to test out a hydrogen-powered locomotive along its lines, joining Canadian Pacific in experimenting with that technology.
Several past tests at other railroads have looked at natural gas-powered locomotives and battery-powered options. Using some combination of these new locomotives will be key to helping the railroads achieve their emissions-reduction goals.
But the railroads all caution that the new technology won’t be ready to start replacing the diesel workhorses for at least several more years.
