Railroads have had a mixed history on the environment. It runs the gamet from the use of used PCB's in the 40'-50's-60's for right of way "weed abatement", irresponsible and often illegal dumping of toxic oils, asbestos, creosote, to uncontrolled diesel emissions affecting the health of communities and workers.

The good side is that the use of fuel per ton mile is substantially less, reducing petroleum dependency and green house gases. Since the early nineties, locomotive emissions have fallen by between 80-90 percent for certain health "criteria" pollutants (from 35 grams per brake horse power-to bet2een 4 and 6 grams for nitrous oxide emissions). Dirty fuel is still a problem, like it is for diesel trucks and in Europe fuel standards are much tougher (and this is more expensive with diesel already over $4 with road taxes-less for RR's).

Railroads have also had an improved track record in the bad things mentioned above, but many "legacy" pollutant "hot spots" still are out there from the "bad old days" of railroading. Railroads have done a much better job of late, as environmental stewards, but still have a long way to go to improve the environment.

Happy Earth Day-number 38!

BOB2