Rail Yards Fight Emissions By Curbing Locomotive Idling
By Judy Rife, The Times Herald-Record, Middletown, N.Y.
Nov. 27–NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit is poised to reduce locomotive idling, a source of perennial complaint about noise and air pollution, at its rail yards as of Jan. 1.
The green initiative will include Metro-North Railroad’s diesel equipment and yards in Port Jervis, N.Y., and Spring Valley, N.Y., as well as NJ Transit’s in Suffern, N.Y., Raritan, Port Morris and Bay Head. NJ Transit operates Metro-North’s trains in the New York counties of Orange and Rockland.
“Noise hasn’t been much of an issue for us since they expanded the yard several years ago and moved the staging area for trains away from residences,” Port Jervis Mayor Gary Lopriore said. “But I welcome the new policy regardless. Emissions and their impact on air quality are always a concern here, since we sit in a valley.”
NJ Transit stopped idling diesel locomotives at temperatures above 40 degrees earlier this year and now is expanding the policy to include temperatures down to zero degrees.
During the past six months, the agency has upgraded engines and rail yards to allow for locomotive shutdowns when they are inactive for an extended period of time, particularly overnight.
More than 100 diesel engines have been retrofitted with new starters, block heaters and batteries. At the same time, new external, or wayside, power stations have been installed in rail yards to enable maintenance work to continue, even with engines turned off. Similar technology is being used at truck stops along major highways.
Richard Sarles, NJ Transit’s executive director, said the green initiative not only addresses community concerns about noise but also the state’s commitment to reduce fuel consumption and improve air quality.
“Our new policy will mean an improved quality of life for the communities we serve,” Sarles said.
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