New locomotive is free of emissions

ALTOONA, Pa., Oct. 5 (UPI) -- The Norfolk Southern Corp. says a new locomotive in Norfolk, Va., is emissions-free thanks to its energy source of 1,080 batteries.

Norfolk Southern Chief Executive Officer Wick Moorman said the NS 999 is a 1,500-hp switching locomotive that uses rechargeable 12-volt batteries in a lead-acid energy storage system, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot said Monday.

The prototype of the zero-emissions locomotive was unveiled Monday in Altoona, Pa., and Moorman was on hand along with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa.

"We strongly subscribe to the view that sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint are solid business objectives that also provide enormous benefits to the communities we serve," Moorman said.

"By working together to develop alternative energy sources and innovative technologies like this electric locomotive, we will make transportation more sustainable and energy-efficient," LaHood said of the project that benefited from $1.3 million in federal funding.