Green trains, the eco-friendly mode of transport

When it comes to transportation, trains aren’t exactly what springs to mind when you think about cutting-edge technology. Nor are they traditionally thought of as being the eco-friendly alternative.

Ah, the noble and venerable train.  

For hundreds of years trains have chugged across the country, earning a rather dirty reputation. Dirty and loud. Let’s face it, coal smoke is nasty stuff. Not exactly a tree hugger’s dream. But as the saying goes, trains have come a long way, baby. It’s time to take a fresh look at trains.

The rail industry has been working steadily on cleanliness and efficiency for years, working to improve efficiency and clean-up their reputation. Recently, the industry has made some rather interesting advances. Like what, you ask?  Try increasing fuel efficiency by 80 per cent since 1980.   How, you ask again?  One word – lubrication.  

Companies use a petroleum-based oil on the rails to reduce the friction allowing the train to move more easily along. It’s worked moderately well for decades. CSX, a company founded in the 1800s, has been testing soy-based oil.  Besides being a renewable  source, the soy lubricant is faster.  

Much, much faster.  

CSX is working on improving the performance of the actual locomotives as well.  One particularly innovative measure is the use of three engines, which activate sequentially.  Three sequential engines means significantly less continual use, which translates to at least 35% less maintenance. 

Even before these advances, trains were roughly twice as efficient as trucks for transporting freight.  That said, trains won’t ever completely replace trucks.  The obvious reason is the biggest one: trucks can go places trains never will.  

Granted, trucks are gradually becoming more efficient, with new fuel efficiency standards in place as of 2007 in the US, but with green innovations, trains are speeding further and further ahead.

Photo by Craig Zeni