USA: Norfolk Southern Railway and Electro-Motive Diesel are to test 10% to 20% blend biodiesel fuel using eight SD70M-2 locomotives and two MP15 shunters in regular traffic.

The tests will last nine to 11 months, enabling the evaluation of emissions, fuel consumption, performance and durability over a wide range of operating and environmental conditions.

'Norfolk Southern is committed to exploring ways to conduct our business using renewable resources,' said corporate sustainability officer Blair Wimbush. 'Our work with EMD will hopefully result in an environmentally-sensitive, domestically-produced fuel option for the rail industry.'