MTA Metro-North Railroad's diesel locomotives are to be switched to ultra-low sulphur fuel by January 2008, five years ahead of a deadline set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The railway estimates that adoption of the fuel will result in a 13% reduction in hydrocarbon emissions, a 6% cut in CO and a 3% drop in NOx.
The agency negotiated a fuel price agreement with its suppliers before announcing the switch, and obtained assurances from manufacturers that the low-sulphur diesel would not compromise performance, although more frequent changes of lubricating oil will be required. Metro-North plans to burn used lubricant to heat its Croton-Harmon maintenance facility.
