TX-OK biodiesel train on best inventions list

The Heartland Flyer

Vilas Bhuchar, Nov 30, 10.

The Heartland Flyer train, which operates daily between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth and is the nation’s first interstate passenger train to test biodiesel, made TIME Magazine’s list of “50 Best Inventions of 2010,” according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

Amtrak and the Oklahoma and Texas transportation departments were honored by TIME magazine, which announced the test of a cleaner and renewable biodiesel fuel blend to power the daily Amtrak Heartland Flyer train has made the magazine’s list of “The 50 Best Inventions of 2010.”

The Heartland Flyer, which is the nation’s first test of biodiesel in an interstate passenger train, joins the ranks of Apple Inc.‘s iPaid and better 3-D glasses on that list. Operating daily between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, the Heartland Flyer—which TIME nicknamed “America’s Beef-Powered Train” because its biodiesel blend includes beef byproducts—is the only one of the 10 transportation innovations highlighted by the magazine that is publicly available.

Amtrak received a $274,000 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration to carry out the research project in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. The train being used for the project is operated by Amtrak with state support from both Oklahoma and Texas. The biodiesel blend is provided by a Texas-based vendor.

Detailed measurements will be taken on the locomotive at the end of 12 months to assess the impact of the biodiesel on valves and gaskets. Amtrak will collect locomotive exhaust emissions data for analysis in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency test protocols.

“The Heartland Flyer has always provided high-quality service and being the first to test this program is another testimony in doing that by trying to improve the environment,” said Oklahoma Transportation Secretary Gary Ridley. “We are truly proud that Oklahoma is a part of this innovative way to improve our quality of life.”

Bill Glavin, Texas Department of Transportation Rail Division director, said improving air quality and providing multimodal transportation alternatives are goals central to Texas transportation development efforts.

“Our partnership with Amtrak and Oklahoma on the Heartland Flyer helps us accomplish both goals,” Glavin said. “Motorists have an additional option for travel between North Texas and Oklahoma City, which not only takes vehicles off the highway, but reduces harmful emissions compared to traditional diesel-fueled locomotives.”

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Photo credit: Marcus Kesler