Test Run Under Way for Amtrak's 'Beef Train'
May 1, 2010 by Miranda Marquit
Test Run Under Way for Amtrak's 'Beef Train'. Image source: Wikipedia.org
(PhysOrg.com) -- In an effort to create a greener train, Amtrak has unveiled the Heartland Flyer, which is designed to run on a special biodiesel blend that includes beef byproducts. The idea is to reduce hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions by 10% each and reduce sulfates by 20%. Amtrak also claims that particulates will be reduced by 15% with the help of this new fuel mix.
However, the train won't be running solely on cow power. Discover reports on how Amtrak will use the fuel:
The Heartland Flyer uses about 100,000 gallons of diesel fuel each year to move 84,000 people. For this one-year test run, Amtrak will replace 20 percent of that fuel with biodiesel, produced from tallow from Texas cows. The fat from the cattle, which is normally used to make animal feed and soap, will now instead help power a train.
While the new biofuel can be used on standard train engines, the Heartland Flyer has been given new parts so that it is possible to determine how much damage the biofuel is inflicting on the train over the course of a year. The Flyer is only expected to run for a year, between Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Forth Worth, Texas, and then the engine and the train's performance will be evaluated.
At first glance, it seems as though this might be a great idea for biofuel. Use cow byproducts to fuel a train. But those products are often used anyway, in soap and other products. Besides, PopSci reports, these cows are often grain-finished with corn, and there are questions about the how environmentally friendly the process is:
Sure, it may benefit certain regions around Oklahoma and Texas where a cattle industry produces beef byproducts as waste regardless. But it's hard to imagine corn-fed cattle as an environmentally friendly stock for widespread biofuel usage, especially when some scientists already fret over the economic and environmental impact of making biofuel directly from corn.
It will be necessary to carefully consider the true environmental impacts of this biofuel, as well as the way the fuel affects the train's engine and performance.
More information: Smriti Rao, "All Aboard the Beef Train -- Amtrak Debuts a Train Running on Beef Biofuel," Discover (April 27, 2010). Available online: http://blogs.disco … eef-biofuel/
Jeremy Hsu, "Get on the Beef Train: Amtrak Unveils First Biodiesel Commuter Train, Powered By Animal By-Products," PopSci (April 26, 2010). Available online: http://www.popsci. … ter-train-us
© 2010 PhysOrg.com
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Apr 30, 2010
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Apr 30, 2010
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In Canada CN Rail was formed in a vision of the Bush/Obama Bank bailout. Several railroads, built in a surplus of enthusiasm were about to go tits up just after WWI. The government took them over thereby saving some Montreal bank's asses.
VIA Rail, the passenger service, was separated from both CN and CP and is now strongly government backed.
Apr 30, 2010
Rank: 1 / 5 (1)
Right?
Apr 30, 2010
Rank: 3 / 5 (1)
Apr 30, 2010
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See, that's why democracies have liberal and conservative parties- they can each be used to initiate the appropriate change at the proper time. You couldn't have dems privatizing or republicans nationalizing. Wouldn't be prudent.
May 01, 2010
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A constant and reoccurring problem to that paradigm happens when, as now, the country swings one way or another. Right now the (corporate backed) 'watch my lips - no new taxes'; government regulations are hampering the legitimate business of business people have gained an upper hand. Immediately the world went into an economic tailspin.
May 01, 2010
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May 01, 2010
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May 01, 2010
Rank: 5 / 5 (2)
Libs are in complete control now because the 2nd biggest collapse in economic history has occured, and the only fix was to shell out tons of money and commandeer big business. Things are getting better. We are being prepared for a period of unprecedented growth with completely new industries based on new tech. Atlanta was burned because the slave-based economy was obsolete. Same thing. Old infrastructure being destroyed to make way for the new. Rebirth by Design. Like the Phoenix, from the ashes. Ever notice how old US depictions of 'eagles' look more like the Phoenix? That's what they are-
May 01, 2010
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Aux contrare, bloodof - by replacing Glass-Steagall it unleashed financial institutions to broaden their scope and build the shaky pyramid that destroyed the economies of most western countries when the 'housing boom' finally had to be paid for.
May 01, 2010
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May 01, 2010
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Sorry bloodof ..you must be thinking of someone else ... the I am socialist that does not believe the government should interfere in the market place - is should BE the market place.
May 01, 2010
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May 02, 2010
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Yes, most countries have government owned mass transit. And I bet they all lose money like Amtrak. Why? Because the people paying for them are not the ones actually riding them. No 'free enterprise' can get away with taking someone else's money to pay for services for others.
So is "government run" good or bad? It depends on your perspective: if you are a rich SOB who does not want riff-raff blocking his limmo or clogging his airport, you don't mind paying for their mass transport. If you are poor, government mass transit will get you there... eventually.
If you are one of the remaining independent minded middle class people that WAS the basis for American exceptionalism, it is an expensive humiliation.... takes your money, inefficiently provides services your parents use to be wealthy and independent enough to handle themselves (i.e. drive their OWN car!)
May 03, 2010
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Smacks of "Soilent Green". ...and eventually, it looks like we will be "eating our own".
May 03, 2010
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Another success for the ever efficient free enterprise system.
May 03, 2010
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May 03, 2010
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Correct-oh-mondo, SongDog ... as well I believe it is impossible to get a train from Montreal to Boston. That used to be one of the more popular routes.
Jun 23, 2010
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The fact that they could be using plant based biofuels just as easily seemed to escape someone in charge. Sad. But they won't get a dime from me during their "Soylent Green" experiment.
Jun 25, 2010
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I agree songDog - even if the the vile troll er ... toll roads are springing up all over the place.
Canada, being of MFing size and small population needed a national railroad to bind it together - the 'private sector' just did not have the moeny, so the gov't financed the CPR. (see about about the CNR). It needed a national air line, so the Conservative gov't created the CBC, (later a TV network), and medicare - so it became a gov't backed program.
Th private sector just cannot do some things.