MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. -- Modern technology has produced an array of items during the last few years, such as the digital video player, Pentium processor, and hybrid automobile.
RailPower Technologies Corp., based in North Vancouver, British Columbia, has advanced travel technology a step further by developing a hybrid locomotive called the Green Goat.
The company unveiled the advanced locomotive to a small group of train buffs, environmentalists, local media, and a few other onlookers at MCLB Barstow on Dec. 3 to get their impression.
"The idea behind the development of the Green Goat was formulated during a technology conference we attended in 1999," explained Frank Donnelly, chief technology officer with RailPower. "It's built on the same concept as the Toyota Prius, a hybrid automobile powered by both gas and electricity, but on a larger scale."
Donnelly developed and designed the 2,000 horsepower Green Goat and its smaller brother, a 1,000 horsepower locomotive called the Green Kid.
What makes the Goat different than conventional locomotives is that it draws power from a bank of batteries that are charged periodically by a small diesel engine. The engine recharges the batteries then shuts down until needed again, according to Dan Harapnuk, hybrid system associate with RailPower.
"You'll notice that everything is more compact than your typical switcher (locomotive)," Harapnuk said during a showing of the Goat. "It uses a recycled GP-9 locomotive platform, but modified topside to accommodate the battery banks."
This modification lowers the upper portion of the locomotive allowing better visibility for the engineer.
Using batteries also offers a 30 to 80 percent reduction in fuel usage during rail operations depending upon the workload. At the same time the Goat offers a much quieter engine and produces an 80 to 90 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions, according to Donnelly.
"You don't have to worry about stack fires, which you see occasionally from the conventional switchers, or oil spills and sprays on the tracks," he said. "What's really great about it is that is built almost completely from recycled parts."
After receiving a brief and up close view of the different components that make up the Green Goat observers were given the opportunity to take a short ride. This was done to demonstrate how smooth and quiet the Goat is.
John Noxon, Transportation Contracting Officer's representative and quality assurance at Public Works, and one of the people responsible for getting the Goat here for a demonstration, was very impressed with the locomotive, so much so that he said he would like to have four of them.
As far as pulling power goes, Ray Silva, locomotive engineer with MCLB Barstow's rail crew, revealed that the Green Goat pulled 32 cars the previous week loaded with M1A1 Abrams tanks and Bradley vehicles and it had no problems.
"I was very impressed with it (the Green Goat)," said Silva, a 13-year veteran engineer. "It has great visibility, very good pulling power, and it's very quiet."
Donnelly said the Green Goat has performed admirably so far but there is more testing in store for the locomotive, to see how it performs in extreme heat and cold conditions and heavier workloads, before the company begins full production.
From concept to placing the Goat on the tracks took about two years, according to Donnelly. So how did they come up with the "Green Goat" title?
"Traditionally the switchers in a rail yard are referred to as 'goats' by the engineers and 'green' represents the environment, thus the name 'Green Goat'," he said.
Technology is constantly advancing. This time it has given the world a much quieter and environmental friendly locomotive. What's next?