CP Rail to test low-emission locomotives 
Published: May 6, 2008
Source: Canadian Pacific
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Canadian Pacific will test two environmentally friendly locomotives in southern Ontario thanks to Transport Canada's ecoFREIGHT Program announced Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer Kathryn McQuade today.

"We commend Minister Cannon and his colleagues for helping us improve the environment in the communities we serve," said McQuade. "The Government of Canada's ecoFREIGHT program helps us test and prove innovative products sooner."

Canadian Pacific has ordered two high efficiency National Railway Equipment Company "GenSet" locomotives. The locomotives are unique in that instead of one 2,100 horsepower diesel locomotive engine they utilize three independent diesel engine GenSets to achieve the same amount of total horsepower. Overall, the technology aims to achieve significant fuel savings, ultra-low emissions and longer engine life.

"Moving goods long haul by rail is already much more fuel efficient and safer than other modes of transportation," added McQuade. "We are always looking for innovations that reduce our environmental footprint and make rail an even cleaner mode of transportation."

Canadian Pacific's emissions per Revenue Tonne Mile (RTM) have decreased almost one quarter (24.1%) since 1990 while RTMs have increased 37.4% over the same period. RTMs are a standard measure of rail traffic volumes. Additionally, CP has equipped three quarters of its existing locomotive fleet with automatic engine start/stop technology, which reduces emissions from idling locomotives.