HOTSTART Auxiliary Power Units Good for Environment and Customers

Hotstart was selected by Montana Rail Link (MRL) to provide a new series of Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) to 34 locomotives that a recent report shows saved the railroad money and fuel and drastically reduced emissions. With this technology, MRL will eliminate 122,442 tons of emissions and save 10,657,523 gallons of fuel over the next 11 years.

Hotstart’s participation in the project was the result of MRL being awarded a $1.13 million grant from the EPA for the use of APUs to reduce idling. The National Clean Diesel Campaign recently analyzed the grant project and found that the use of Hotstart’s APUs reduced the estimated idling time on the 34 locomotives by 198,858 hours. They will also improve Missoula’s airshed and decrease emission-related health risks. The results of the project have been so positive that MRL hopes to acquire more APUs from Hotstart in the future. As of March, 2012, MRL locomotives equipped with Hotstart APUs have saved $1.1mil in fuel costs - reducing fuel consumption by 366,277 gallons.

Cold temperatures force railroads to keep their locomotives constantly idling, resulting in excessive use of fuel and emissions. Engines are often forced to idle for days or weeks at a time. Hotstart’s APU eliminates the need for idling by circulating heated coolant through the engine block, compressor, expansion tank and oil cooler to keep the entire locomotive’s water system warm during shutdowns. “We’re moving the industry toward a future of greater environmental awareness and efficiencies through the reduction of idling, and we’re proud to see our APU product drastically reducing idling for MRL,” says Jason Barnes, Senior Market Manager for Hotstart’s railroad division. “We are also excited to see how our customers are benefitting from the technology we’ve created. It would not be unusual to save anywhere from $20,000 to $30,000 a year per locomotive in diesel fuel by using one of our APUs.”

Hotstart was selected as the partner for this grant due to the company’s high quality, reliable product which benefits from smaller size and ease of installation. Hotstart also stood out among competitors for their excellence in developing tailored solutions for meeting the unique needs of customers, track record in the industry and customer service.

“I have burned over 400 gallons of extra fuel from my locomotive while it idles for a week,” says Brad Byrd of Pend Oreille Valley Railroad, another Hotstart customer who has made use of the APUs. “400 gallons. [The APU] will pay for itself. Quickly.”