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The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Locomotive BNSF and Vehicle Projects LLC will soon test the first hydrogen fuel cell switch locomotive. For years, cars and busses have been powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Could the same technology be applied to rail? That’s what BNSF Railway Company and Vehicle Projects LLC are trying to find out. In 2003, the U.S. Department of Defense sponsored BNSF and Vehicle Projects to explore the possibility of adapting fuel cells to hybrid switch locomotives. Coming Together in Topeka The prototype, now several years in the making, is being assembled in BNSF’s shop in Topeka, Kansas. If things stay on schedule, testing could be as early as this spring. “It will then undergo more testing at the Transportation Test Center in Colorado,” says Pat Hiatte, BNSF spokesperson. “We hope to be able to have it in test service in southern California later this year.” How It Works Simply put, a fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity and produces water and heat as a by-product. With BNSF’s switch engine, the hydrogen will be stored on the locomotive. The hydrogen will then be fed into fuel cell power modules, which will generate the electricity. That electricity will either power the traction motors that turn the wheels of the locomotive, or charge storage batteries on board the locomotive which can provide additional power to the traction motors during times of peak power demand in a hybrid configuration. If the project is successful, the hydrogen fueled battery-hybrid switch engine will perform with more efficiency than traditional switch engines. And the operating controls should be identical. Pros and Cons There are the obvious advantages of a hydrogen-powered locomotive: • No emissions at point of use • No fossil fuels required • Reduced noise levels • The added efficiency of fuel cells There are also obstacles to overcome, like being able to fuel the locomotive and refining the production model. But those are issues to be addressed down the road. Right now, BNSF’s focus is determining if this is a viable solution for the future. “While it’s not proven technology, and the project is still in its infancy, we believe investments like the fuel cell switch locomotive are important for the advancement of new technology,” says Craig Hill, retired vice president, BSNF Mechanical and Value Engineering. n	In This Issue News, Trends & Analysis New Items Glimmer of Recovery Supply Chain A Quick Primer on Site Selection Managing with the Supply Chain in Mind Compliance Corner: Trade Compliance Requires a Focus on Information Gathering How to Green Up Your Logistics Operation Supply Chain product review Trucking Software Special Section Creating the Extraordinary — the Prince Rupert Story Features Building a Future from Drayage Wreckage Gateway at a Glance Pacific Northwest Ports & infrastructure Stimulus Bill Has Cash for Ports . . . for the Right Projects What Shippers Need from Inland Ports Port Product Review Lift Trucks Commentary New Trends Driving Transpacific Trade Who, What, Where, When Final Say
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