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May 20, 2010

Southbound Heartland Flyer prepares to board in Norman, Okla.

Beef Byproducts Fuel Heartland Flyer

Amtrak Heartland Flyer tests cleaner, renewable fuel for passenger trains.

Amtrak and the Oklahoma and Texas state transportation departments April 20 announced the nation's first-ever test of a cleaner and renewable biodiesel fuel blend to power a daily interstate passenger train between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the use of foreign oil.

About the Heartland Flyer
The Amtrak Heartland Flyer was inaugurated June 14, 1999, with federal funds received by Okla. DOT that were designed to initiate service in areas without Amtrak trains. TxDOT joined the partnership with Oklahoma and Amtrak in 2006. The 10th anniversary of the service was celebrated in 2009, with the support of the Heartland Flyer Coalition, representing the communities along the 206-mile route. Ridership in March 2010 was up 2.7% vs. March 2009 and totaled 33,696 from October 2009 through March 2010.

Amtrak operates the Heartland Flyer under state-funded contracts with Okla. DOT and TxDOT to provide daily service, with regularly scheduled stops in Oklahoma City, Norman, Purcell, Pauls Valley and Ardmore, Okla., and in Gainesville and Fort Worth, Texas. For additional information, visit www.heartlandflyer.com.


Amtrak received a $274,000 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration to carry out the research project in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (Okla. DOT) on the daily Heartland Flyer train operated by Amtrak with state support from both Oklahoma and Texas. The biodiesel blend includes beef byproduct and is provided by a Texas-based vendor.


In previously conducted stationary locomotive engine testing, the biodiesel blend known as B20 (20% pure biofuel and 80% diesel) reduced hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide each by 10%, reduced particulates by 15% and sulfates by 20%. Detailed measurements will be taken on the P32-8 locomotive at the end of 12 months so any effect of the biodiesel on valves and gaskets can be measured. Amtrak will collect locomotive exhaust emissions data for analysis in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) locomotive exhaust emissions federal test protocols.


"Quality of life issues are increasingly important. The Heartland Flyer has always provided high-quality service, and being the first to test this program is another testimony in doing that by trying to improve the environment," said Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley. "We are truly proud that Oklahoma is a part of this innovative way to improve our quality of life."


"Improving air quality and providing multimodal transportation alternatives are goals central to Texas transportation development efforts," said Bill Glavin, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Rail Division Director. "Our partnership with Amtrak and Oklahoma on the Heartland Flyer helps us accomplish both goals — motorists have an additional option for travel between North Texas and Oklahoma City, which not only takes vehicles off the highway, but reduces harmful emissions compared to traditional diesel-fueled locomotives."


"Amtrak travel is already more energy efficient than most other forms of intercity transportation," said Roy Deitchman, Amtrak Vice President, Environmental, Health and Safety. "If the test shows this use of a renewable fuel in our locomotive is successful, it's a home run for our passengers, for our partners and for the planet.

Comment on the story

At events timed with the train's morning departure from Oklahoma City and noontime arrival in Fort Worth, officials attached a version of the Amtrak "green seal" to the 3,200-horsepower locomotive that powers the train and compared samples of diesel and biodiesel fuels.


Oklahoma's environment secretary issued a statement in support and the state's agriculture secretary attended the Oklahoma City event.

"I commend Okla. DOT, TxDOT and Amtrak for their commitment to using a cleaner burning fuel that will ultimately help us deal with air quality challenges," said Oklahoma Secretary of Environment J.D. Strong. "This project also promotes the national security benefits of utilizing our own natural resources for fuel, rather than imported petroleum, and putting money in the pockets of our agricultural producers, rather than foreign governments."


"Renewable fuels such as biodiesel are perfect examples as they combine our state's two leading industries, agriculture and energy, to come together and create this tremendous asset for Oklahoma," said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Terry Peach. "The potential for environmental protection and economic development opportunities make this exciting."


The Texas Beef Council was on hand at the event in Fort Worth to provide information and materials to passengers, explaining cattle provide many products — in addition to beef — and this example of two industries utilizing unique resources to power interstate transportation.

Biodiesel Intercity Passenger Rail Revenue Service Trial
The Biodiesel Intercity Passenger Rail Revenue Service Trial is a research project supported by Amtrak and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (Okla. DOT) and funded by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

In 2005, the Okla. DOT proposed to Amtrak the concept of using biodiesel blended fuel in the Heartland Flyer in lieu of No. 2 diesel. In previously conducted static locomotive engine testing, B20 (20% pure biofuel and 80% No. 2 diesel) had illustrated the following reduction in locomotive engine exhaust: hydrocarbons (HC) 10%, carbon monoxide (CO) 10%, particulates 15%, sulfates 20%. The biodiesel fuel used in this project is a blend based on a byproduct of beef processing.

Biodiesel requires little to no engine modifications for utilization. However, two new engine assemblies were placed into P32-8 Locomotive #500 (the test engine) and detailed measurements taken so at the end of 12 months, any impact of biodiesel on valves and gaskets can be measured.

Amtrak will operate the Heartland Flyer exclusively with B20 for an approximate period of 12 months. The fuel port has a stencil indicating biodiesel should be used. The locomotive will continue to be fueled in Fort Worth by Amtrak's existing fuel vendor using a B20 diesel fuel.

Objectives and Work Elements
The primary objective of the test program will be to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of utilizing biodiesel as an alternative fuel for passenger locomotives. The test program will focus on several elements:

Task 1: Revenue service trial of B20. Amtrak will operate the Heartland Flyer in normal passenger service while utilizing biodiesel blended (B20) fuel. Amtrak will measure and record the B20 fuel consumption of the engine, on a daily basis.

Task 2: Power Assembly Inspection, Analysis. Task 2 was completed prior to the commencement of revenue service testing.

Amtrak will perform, at a minimum, pre- and post-revenue service test inspection and analysis of two power assemblies from the locomotive engine. The analyses will identify any and all adverse effects of the B20 fuel on engine components that are expected to be directly or indirectly impacted by the utilization of B20 fuel.

Task 3: Engine Exhaust Emissions Analysis. Following the 12-month revenue service test period, Amtrak will collect locomotive exhaust emissions data. Exhaust emissions from the locomotive will be analyzed in accordance with US EPA locomotive exhaust emissions federal test protocol. GE Transportation or another contract provider with equivalent capabilities will conduct the engine exhaust emissions testing and provide documentation of the results to be included in the final report.

Task 4: Miscellaneous Maintenance/Inspection/Test. Amtrak will perform analysis of the engine oil every 10 days for degradation and/or dilution. Amtrak will have the pure biodiesel, B100 fuel samples analyzed to determine that the fuel meets ASTM D6751 standards. Amtrak will subject the diesel fuel to be blended with the pure biodiesel (B100) to be tested monthly to ensure it meets ASTM D975 specifications and similarly the B20 blend will be tested monthly to determine conformance with ASTM D7467 specifications. Budget estimates:

The Federal funding contribution for the implementation is $274,000, from FRA Research and Development.

Assemblies analysis
Start of test. Two power assemblies were pre-inspected and initial parts measurements performed at the Amtrak Chicago Maintenance facility, including pistons and piston rings and connecting rod bearings.

General engine condition will be evaluated to include engine cleanliness (rocker box and crankcase), visual inspection of locomotive, and review of operational history (oil consumption, fuel consumption, duty cycle, and other operational issues that can affect testing).

End of test. The two power assemblies that were installed at the beginning of the test will be removed at the Amtrak Chicago Maintenance Facility and inspected. Pistons will be evaluated for wear and rated for deposit levels on the lands and in the grooves. Connecting rod bearings will be inspected for wear and photographed.

General engine condition will be evaluated. Engine cleanliness will be evaluated and rated for sludge. Review of operational history (oil consumption, fuel consumption, duty cycle, other operational issues that can affect testing).

Biodiesel fuel supply
The fuel supplier is Direct Fuels of Euless, Texas, a BQ9000 registered producer. The quality program is designed to promote the commercial success and public acceptance of Biodiesel and to help assure Biodiesel fuel is produced to and maintained at the industry standard, ASTM D6751. Storage and handling:
• All material goes through filters at the time of production and then again as the material
  is loaded out onto trucks.
• All storage units are heated and mechanically mixed.
• If Biodiesel remains in a tank for more than a 30 day period, the lot is retested according
  to BQ9000 parameters for quality and stability to ensure quality.
• All trucks are inspected for cleanliness before loading with Biodiesel.
• All trucks are sealed after loading with Biodiesel.
• Certificates of analysis for the material loaded are distributed each time material is
   loaded out.

Quality control testing:
• All batches are tested to all critical parameters as defined in the BQ9000 program. We
   also test for water content, viscosity and carbon residue on every batch.
• Monthly, at least one batch is tested for metals content and sulfated ash.
• Semiannual testing of cetane and distillation parameters is performed.
• The onsite lab has testing capabilities for all ASTM Biodiesel standards except cetane
   and distillation.
• The Direct Fuels laboratory participates in the Biodiesel Round Robin
  crosscheck program organized by ASTM.

The feedstock comes exclusively from Texas.

Biodiesel test locomotive
Amtrak locomotive #500 is a General Electric P32-8 locomotive delivered to Amtrak in 1991 from the GE plant in Erie, Pa. Amtrak owns 18 of these locomotives used in mainline and switching service.

Amtrak energy efficiency
Traveling by rail contributes less (2,516 BTU*) per passenger mile to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) than either cars (3,514 BTU) or airplanes (3,103 BTU). According to U.S. Department of Energy data, Amtrak is almost 20% more efficient than domestic airline travel and 28% more efficient than auto travel on a per-passenger-mile basis.

* BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, a standard unit of energy. Figures listed are from 2007 and refer to BTUs used per passenger mile.