The natural gas locomotive project on Burlington Northern Railroad

Abstract

Burlington Northern Railroad (BN) has undertaken extensive safety measures and studies to ensure that the concept of a natural gas powered locomotive, its implementation, and operation are safe. BN has trained maintenance personnel and train crews in safe operation and briefed local emergency response teams in the safe handling of refrigerated liquid methane. These issues are discussed here. BN concludes that the equipment that has been developed is both reliable and safe. The current test program confirms safety projections as well as quantifies the benefits. BN believes that natural gas fueled locomotives have the potential to make BN far more competitive in the transportation marketplace.<>