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Deisel freight trains are huge poluters with regard to particulate matter (PM). This actually causes cancer as opposed to CO2. Reducing PM without impacting fue

Deisel freight trains are huge poluters with regard to particulate matter (PM). This actually causes cancer as opposed to CO2. Reducing PM without impacting fuel efficiency significantly is possible but requires investment. https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/-/media/epa/corporate-site/resources/air/diesel-locomotive-emissions-upgrade-kit.pdf?la=en&hash=5CD9A9D2FE1E77371F10BE7D356DAA8290DBB1B9 https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/-/media/epa/corporate-site/resour... Same goes for diesel trucks / busses. This type of change throughout the world would really improve people’s lives immediately.

wongarsu 8y ago
However PM is a fairly localized pollution that doesn't spread far. I don't think diesel trains that drive through the middle of nowhere are that bad. Near population centers it would be preferable to switch to electric locomotives.
- johnwalkr 8y ago
  There's a handful of hybrid trains in Japan that are electric in urban areas and use a diesel generator in rural parts of the route. A quick search didn't reveal any running North America but considering diesel locomotives have mostly used diesel generators and electric motors since the 70s, it's not a stretch to think about implementation there.
fopen64 8y ago
The question is, how much pollution per tku (tons x kms)? Even if it exhausted nuclear waste, it would be worthwile if it was 1 gram per trillion tku.
int_19h 8y ago
Trains are easier to electrify than any other mode of transport, though.