Chicago Tribune: RTA to weigh cost, practicality of switching diesel locomotives to electric

[marmar]

RTA to weigh cost, practicality of switching diesel locomotives to electric
Concern over soot, emissions prompts officials to study issue

By Richard Wronski, Tribune reporter
7:57 p.m. CST, January 18, 2011


Of Metra's 11 routes, the Electric Line is the only one whose trains are powered by electricity. But with heightened concerns over toxic locomotive fumes, some officials wonder if dumping diesel power on Metra's other lines isn't such a bad idea.

Representatives from some of the nation's largest transit agencies will meet in Chicago in March to discuss the pros and cons of electrifying more commuter rail lines here and elsewhere.

Regional Transportation Authority Executive Director Joe Costello said Tuesday that a recent Tribune investigation has focused attention on high levels of soot emitted by diesel locomotives.

No one is proposing that Metra stop running diesel, Costello said, but the RTA and the Transit Finance Learning Exchange are co-hosting a March 22 discussion of the costs and issues involved in converting to electric commuter rail lines. ........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-metra-electric-0119-20110118,0,1044994.story

[TheMadMonk]

1. Add some water to the diesel.

Added water lets you get up to igniton pressures with a much leaner fuel mixture and leaner fuel produces far fewer particulates. Other polutant levels are alose significantly reduced.

Smaller motors and a battery or big capacitor bank for starting power could also make a huge difference.

As would a move from pistons to turbines.

Even going nuclear is an option.

Electrification does have one huge negative, a million or so tons of copper needed for the third rail/overhead catenary.