(CA) Press Enterprise: A model train

A model train

10:14 PM PST on Sunday, March 20, 2005

The Green Goat signals a welcome change for California railroads -- and the state's air quality. No, it's not some new variety of bovid, but a cleaner, lower-emission, hybrid locomotive.

Union Pacific unveiled the new engine, nicknamed the Green Goat, on Tuesday at its switching yard in the city of Commerce. The $800,000 locomotive runs on a combination of diesel and electric power. That means the Goat spits 80 percent to 90 percent less pollution into the air than diesel trains do. The new train is also nearly noiseless.

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Still, California alone can't curb diesel emissions, because so much diesel traffic crosses state lines and is not subject to California rules. So the advent of less-polluting locomotives marks a significant step toward cutting air pollution, here and elsewhere.

The prototype hybrid only works for switching yards, where high speeds aren't a priority. Rail officials say a hybrid capable of hauling goods across the nation is under development. That sounds promising. We hope the Green Goat is just the first stop on a route toward air that's scrubbed clean of diesel toxins.

Online at: http://www.pe.com/localnews/opinion/editorials/stories/PE_OpEd_Opinion_D_op_21_ed_locomotive2.a224d.html