Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
[quote user="CMStPnP"] [quote user="Sam1"] In 2009 Amtrak's average cost per gallon of diesel was $1.85.  In 2013 its average cost of diesel was $3.32 per gallon.  This is an average increase of 79.5 per cent over the period covered. Over the same period of time the CPI increased by approximately nine per cent.  Amtrak uses fuel hedges to smooth the cost of its fuel, where it can, and does not pay the rack rates.  The dramatic run-up in its fuel costs is explained in part because several of its advantageous fuel hedges expired.  The same thing happened to Southwest Airlines, as well as a number of other transport companies. [/quote] Except that the locomotives for the Heartland Flyer do not burn Diesel Fuel they burn a tallow fat by product from a Cattle Slaughtering firm in Ft. Worth. [/quote] According to an Article in BIODIESEL Magazine dated November 7, 2011, Amtrak reported on the use of B20 during a year long trial on the Heartland Flyer.  Apparently the use of B20 was for a one year experiment, and it has not been repeated. Amtrak launched the one year trial on Earth Day in 2010.  According to the article, it was concluded on May 15, 2011. More than 175,000 gallons of B20 fuel were used in the experiment.  The fuel resulted in no more wear than straight ULSD diesel, with no reduction in performance or reliability. Overall  emissions were below the levels observed from the use of diesel. The fuel was used in a GE P32-8 locomotive.  No deterioration of performance or wear on the locomotive was noted.  According to Amtrak the cost of the biodiesel fuel was 13 cents a gallon more than the cost of diesel during the experiment.  The fuel was provided by Direct Fuels, which is based in Euless.  It still provides the fuel for the Heartland Flyer and Texas Eagle, both of which take on fuel at Forth Worth.  The cost of the experiment ($274,000) was worn by the Federal Railroad Administration. The current consist of the Heartland Flyer is two Genesis locomotives - I am not sure which model, and three modified Superliner coaches.  The coaches have been configured with half the seats facing in the direction of travel and the other have facing rearward.  Presumably the Genesis locomotives are burning diesel.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag