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Cleaner Amtrak locomotives on track for California
SACRAMENTO July 22, 2009 12:30pm 
• One on line now, 14 to go • ‘We took a proactive role’ 
Cleaner diesel coming to a track near you. (Caltrans photo)
Amtrak’s California trains are to be powered by cleaner diesel locomotives, with the first of the engines unveiled Wednesday.
The newly upgraded locomotive has begun operating between Sacramento and the Bay Area along the Capitol Corridor route.
"This is really a big step for Caltrans. We took a proactive role to get a cleaner locomotive on the tracks, and we're proud to see this project through,” says Caltrans Director Will Kempton.
The first Caltrans locomotive to be upgraded is a Model F59PHI originally built by Electro-Motive Diesel in October 2001. EMD has installed an upgrade package with the latest microprocessor-controlled locomotive engine technology for lower emissions, increased fuel economy, greater reliability and predictable maintenance costs, Caltrans says.
The newly upgraded locomotive will now achieve EPA Tier 2 emissions performance -- two levels cleaner than required for this model.
Amtrak California is operating 15 of the F59PHI locomotives and the goal is to convert the entire fleet to the new cleaner performance level, eventually reducing operating emissions by nearly 50 percent.
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