Amtrak 2011 Annual Report Download - page 16

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13
V. Mobility and Connectivity
Amtrak Strategic Goal: Improve national mobility and connectivity by growing
Amtrak’s business through new partnerships, routes, and frequencies to increase
ridership system-wide.
In 2011 efforts such as partnering with state agencies on various projects contributed
to this strategic goal. For example, Amtrak worked closely with the Oklahoma
Department of Transportation on a recently completed trial of a biodiesel fuel blend on
a passenger rail route. Amtrak continues to work on reducing energy usage through
route efficiencies and locomotive practices.
Amtrak Biodiesel Inter-City Passenger Rail Trial
In May 2011, Amtrak completed the nation’s first-ever field trial of a 20 percent
renewable biodiesel fuel blend to power a daily interstate passenger train between
Oklahoma City, OK., and Fort Worth, TX. Amtrak received a $274,000 grant from the
FRA to carry out the research project in partnership with the Oklahoma and Texas
Departments of Transportation on the daily Heartland Flyer train operated by Amtrak
with state support from both Oklahoma and Texas.
The trial’s objective was to evaluate the use of B20 (20 percent biodiesel and 80
percent ultra-low sulfur diesel) as an alternative fuel for locomotives and to assess
engine performance and emissions while the fuel was being used. The “biodiesel
source” (B100) for the B20 blend was produced solely from Texas native feedstock
(beef tallow). Before and during the field trial, the fuel was tested for metals, fuel and
water, oxidation, nitration, soot, sulfate, and other parameters using American Society
for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test methods. Emissions testing during the trial
included gaseous and particulate matter sampling, as well as evaluation of smoke
opacity. Fuel consumption and engine performance were also tested.
More than 150,000 equipment miles were logged and approximately 175,000 gallons
of B20 fuel were used during 331 round-trips. More than 35,000 gallons (20 percent
by volume) of total fuel used during the revenue service trial were produced from the
non-petroleum, renewable source of fuel (beef tallow).
Results included:
On-time performance was not adversely impacted;
Fuel reliably met appropriate ASTM specifications;
No loss in horsepower identified using B20;