BNSF and Vehicle Projects Inc. of Denver/Golden, Colo. today (June 29) unveiled an operational hydrogen-fuel-cell switch locomotive at BNSF's Topeka System Maintenance Terminal. The experimental switch locomotive was introduced at a news conference. Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) and various representatives from BNSF, Vehicle Projects and the Department of the Army attended the introductory meeting.
Chris Roberts, vice president, Mechanical and Value Engineering, said BNSF and its predecessors have a proud tradition of developing new motive-power technologies, from the diesel-electric locomotive to AC traction. The hydrogen-fuel-cell demonstration is an important milestone in BNSF's testing of fuel-cell technology in a railroad application.
"We're proud to have reached this point in development of the hydrogen hybrid locomotive," Roberts said. "Exploring alternative energy sources is critical to achieving our nation's environmental and energy goals, and BNSF is pleased to be part of that process."
Arnold Miller, president, Vehicle Projects, and developer of the fuel cell powertrain, said the prototype addresses two overarching problems the world faces: global climate change and energy scarcity/insecurity.
"This technology, fueled by hydrogen, addresses both issues," he said. "The only effluent from this vehicle is water vapor."
Both BNSF and Vehicle Projects praised the support of Sen. Sam Brownback, who secured critical federal funding to help develop the prototype. Brownback called the project an example of the right way to address our energy and environmental problems by investing as opposed to increasing costs in those areas.
"BNSF operates through several locations that are in non-attainment areas for air quality as designated by the Environmental Protection Agency," said Mark Stehly, assistant vice president, Technical Research, Development and Environmental. "We are investigating and experimenting with this hydrogen-fuel-cell technology for its potential niche application in areas with air quality concerns."
After the June 29 demonstration, this locomotive will go to the Transportation Test Center in Pueblo, Colo., for additional testing, Roberts said. Then late this summer or early fall, depending on the outcome of the testing, the locomotive will go into service in the Los Angeles Basin, where it will face the test of actual service in the railroad environment.
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