New environmentally friendly Charger locomotives are being placed in service in the Capitol Corridor in California.
The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority said it recently retired two F59 locomotives in favor of the Chargers, which are EPA-certified Tier 4 rated.
The new motive power was funded by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and co-funded by Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District and Placer County Air Pollution Control District through the Carl Moyer Grant Program.
The new units are expected to enter revenue service as early as this week but no later than June 1.
The Chargers were built by Siemens and are said to provide a 90 percent reduction in particulate matter emissions and 80 percent NOx reduction compared to the soon-to-be-retired Tier 2 engines.
The Tier 4 engines are also equipped with electronically controlled, regenerative braking systems that use energy from the traction motors during braking to minimize fuel consumption.
Tags: Amtrak, Amtrak western corridor trains, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, Charger passenger locomotives, F59H locomotives, Siemens Charger locomotives
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