Napa Valley Wine Train gets $1.7M grant to green the popular tourist line

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Comment by Dave S. 7 hours ago

From the NVWT website:

Locomotive 73

The only passenger locomotive to operate on CNG and one of the first locomotives to convert, ALCO Locomotive 73 is a clean-air locomotive that has saved more than 225,000 gallons of diesel. Acquired in such a state of disrepair that it was inoperable, the Napa Valley Wine Train started an experimental conversion to 60% natural gas and 40% diesel fuel mixture, and in 1999 the conversion became permanent. A total conversion of Locomotive 73 was completed and it was put into service using 100% Compressed Natural Gas on May 14, 2003.

FPA-4 Diesel Locomotives

#70, 71, and 72

Our locomotives were built in Montréal, Canada, at Montreal Locomotive Works, the Canadian equivalent to the American Locomotive Company (ALCO). NVR70 was built in 1958 and 71,72 & 73 were built in 1959. Geared to operate at more than 90 mph, they were originally equipped with steam generators for heating passenger cars. The steam was replaced by our Head End Power (HEP) units, providing electricity for passenger cars until we added the Grappa power car in 2013.

https://www.winetrain.com/the-wine-train/explore-the-train/

Comment by HUTCH 7.62 7 hours ago

I didn’t think the idling speed of the locomotives even polluted that much. Guess it’s just matter of time before the Alco’s are retired

Comment by Richard C. Brand on February 8, 2019 at 9:52pm

Nico:
Very unlikely. I would guess that UP is dumping them because they don’t meet emission requirement in big city yards like LA. This grant is for a new very low emission locomotive.

Comment by Nico on February 8, 2019 at 8:43pm

I hope its not going to be one of those UP Genets they're selling...