Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service to operate on renewable diesel

The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service, managed by the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, will now operate on renewable diesel (RD) which is chemically similar to fossil diesel but made from renewable raw materials such as used cooking oil, instead of crude oil.

Compared to fossil diesel, LOSSAN says RD significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 631 percent throughout its lifecycle, providing a steep increase to the sustainability of rail travel in southern California. Furthermore, the switch to RD offers the potential to reduce other harmful emissions, including fine particulates and nitrogen oxides leading to improved local air quality.

“The adoption of renewable diesel for our Pacific Surfliner service is an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to environmental preservation and the fight against climate change,” said Jewel Edson, chair of the LOSSAN Board of Directors. “We take immense pride in joining forces with Amtrak, state and federal agencies, rail equipment manufacturers and fuel distributors who share our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability.”

The adoption of RD for the Pacific Surfliner fleet is the result of a collaborative effort that engaged key stakeholders, including the California Department of Transportation, Amtrak, the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority and various other partners.

The Pacific Surfliner currently operates with diesel-electric charger locomotives, the first passenger locomotive to receive the stringent Tier IV emissions certification from the Environmental Protection Agency, making it one of the cleanest diesel-electric passenger locomotives in operation. The transition to RD serves as yet another significant stride in reducing the Pacific Surfliner and passengers’ carbon footprint