I’m a huge advocate of using trains for the transportation of both goods and passengers, always have been and always will be. I feel well funded public transport is a benchmark of an organised transportation network and better still its a very eco-friendly method of transportation, especially when moving goods and freight when compared with trucks. Although Amtrak wouldn’t win awards for being the most progressive rail company in the world when weighed up against European or Asian equivalents there have been positive signs of change in recent years. The renaissance of rail travel in North America hasn’t yet arrived but the conditions for change are certainly more primed than they were a decade ago. New funding as part of the ‘Green’ economic grants has helped to demonstrate that changing needs have put railroad/railways back in the ‘approved’ column, as well they should be – its both an economically sound and environmentally sensitive mode of transport. Interestingly the recent issues with air travel in Europe due to volcanic ash further proved the value in having a strong rail network, the difference between commerce grinding to a halt and functioning at a reduced level.

Positive indicators for Amtrak recently include a revamped high speed line in the Northeast, increased ridership and cost analysis and grants for the construction of high speed rail between various city pairs to directly compete with air travel.

Fuel is another area where Amtrak are experimenting with new ideas and tests have already been planned. Factory farming creates very significant quantities of waste products, one of those being a biodiesel made from beef tallow. Smart Planet has reported that in 2011 Amtrak with test the fuel on their ‘Heartland Flyer’ route that runs from Fort Worth to Oklahoma City. The route is a 206 mile run and plans are in place to implement a fuel mix of both diesel and bio diesel. The test project is scheduled for the beginning of the year and the needed funding of $274,000 will be provided by the Federal Railroad Administration. The fuel blend reduces hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide by 10%, particulates by 15% and sulfates by 20%.

“Improving air quality and providing multimodal transportation alternatives are goals central to Texas transportation development efforts. Our partnership with Amtrak and Oklahoma on the Heartland Flyer helps us accomplish both goals – motorists have an additional option for travel between North Texas and Oklahoma City, which not only takes vehicles off the highway, but reduces harmful emissions compared to traditional diesel-fueled locomotives.”             Bill Glavin, Texas Department of Transportation – Rail Division Director.

Although the story is positive news, I’m left with the dilemma that the biodiesel comes from factory farms. Factory farms are one of the largest culprits of all when it comes to carbon emissions, not to mention issues of animal welfare. Both great topics for a another post on the blog, but am I alone in seeing the irony in that crucial fact? Surely Amtrak can accomplish the same results by using plant based fuels.

Tags: amtrak, animal fat, bio fuels, biodiesel, carbon emissions, carbon monoxide, factory farming, fuel consumption, fuel efficiency, green financial grants, green grants, green transport, Hydropower, organic bio diesel, planet forward, rail transport, smart planet