Riding the Rails to the Future

Trains may have been this nation's past — but they're also on track to becoming our future. That's according to an article in Scientific American which outlines the new, green possibilities now under development for alternative train fuels and systems.

According to the article, train technology has already taken a huge leap forward in efficiency: "The average train in 1980 used four liters of fuel to move one ton of freight 380 kilometers, and by 2007 the average increased to 700 kilometers, or three times the fuel efficiency of a truck."

That's impressive, but not as impressive as the new hybrid locomotives that use technologies similar to those found in the Toyota Prius. Or the new hydrogen fuel-cell technology under development by Vehicle Projects, Inc. in Colorado. Or the Chevy Volt-like train hybrid soon to be unveiled by Ohio-based Alternative Hybrid Locomotive Technologies.

So why aren't we all riding the rails to environmental nirvana? Unfortunately, there are obstacles to overcome that require more than an inventive mind and a friendly funder. Issues like lack of infrastructure, technological glitches and competing government priorities are slowing the process.

Still, as "green" priorities continue to stay near the top of the Obama administration's agenda, tomorrow's trains may be nearing the station. The Energy Department and EPA are working with private industry to develop cleaner diesels and biofuels, and interest is rising in the idea of an all-electric passenger railway.

While we're not likely to be boarding the green express anytime soon, we may well see a slow, steady, reliable train making its way forward, and with any luck, the train of the future will arrive on time.

Photo courtesy of stock.xchng