Union Pacific claims to have 'the most environmentally-friendly locomotive fleet in the nation', with 47% of its 8200 units meeting EPA Tier 0, I or II emissions standards. In California, UP has signed agreements to reduce NOx emissions within the South Coast Non-attainment Area by 67% by 2010, and to reduce particulate emissions across the state.

Under an order for 60 locos (RG 3.06 p111), this year UP is due to take delivery of 30 hybrid shunters from NREC which will be deployed in the Los Angeles basin. A 1500hp shunter fitted with an experimental diesel particulate filter is due to begin trials in Oakland in September, and the Los Angeles basin will be the venue for at least 12 months of service trials of an SD60M locomotive that is to be equipped with a catalytic converter. Oxidation catalyst devices supplied by Miratech are to be installed by the Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Texas, which will perform emissions tests to assess compliance with EPA standards.

For its operations at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Pacific Harbor Line has awarded MotivePower Inc a $21m contract to rebuild 14 Co-Co and two Bo-Bo locomotives with 2000hp Detroit Diesel engines that exceed ERA Tier II standards. Half of the cost is being met by the Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

CAPTION: Union Pacific's prototype genset switcher UPY2005 is also being tested in the Los Angeles area Photo: David Lustig