Tacoma Rail tested a demonstrator unit for two weeks. The technology that makes these locomotives unique is its use of multiple engine GenSets. The locomotive used by Tacoma Rail had two GenSets, each having 700 hp, for a total of 1,400 hp. The locomotive only uses the muscle that it needs to do the job at hand, similar to the cylinder deactivation technology now used in some automobiles. However, instead of cylinders deactivating, it starts up and shuts down the engine GenSets. For example, when Tacoma Rail used it to pull a mile and a half long intermodal train, it used both GenSets and pulled the train successfully. When doing small yard switching activities, it would only use the single GenSet.
Stats from the NRE N-VoroMotive demonstrator:
- EPA Tier II certified using off-road Tier III certified industrial diesel engines.
- Recognized by the California Air Resources Board as Ultra Low Emissions Locomotive
- 35-50% fuel savings
- 80% reduction in NOx and PM emissions
More information about the test can be found at Progressive Railroading.
More information about the locomotive can be found at NRE.