Exhaust Emissions and Fuel Consumption of a Railpower RP20BD Switcher Locomotive

Conventional switcher or shunting locomotives in North America are powered by a single 12 or 16 cylinder engine which operate at eight distinct power levels, plus idle. Recently introduced locomotive power systems utilize multiple smaller displacement non-road diesel engines packaged as individual generator sets to obtain a cleaner and more efficient locomotive. This paper examines exhaust emissions and fuel consumption of a Railpower RP20BD switcher locomotive utilizing three 375 kW_e generators. FTP tests, described in part 92 of the CFR Title 40, were completed for UPY2606 using two fuels: EPA certification diesel, and ultra-low sulfur diesel. The locomotive produced emissions well below EPA Tier 2 limits using certification fuel, and subsequent testing with ULSD further reduced emissions to below the future EPA Tier 2 and 3 limits.