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Green Locomotive Saves Fuel, Moves Army Ammo at Indiana Navy Base

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110126-13
1/26/2011

By Bill Couch, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Midwest Public Affairs

CRANE, Ind. (NNS) -- A new environmentally-friendly locomotive entered service at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane, Ind., Jan. 20, helping ship ordnance to U.S. forces around the world while also helping reduce the Department of Defense's consumption of fossil fuels.

NSA Crane's newly-overhauled 120-ton switcher locomotive, an "N-ViroMotive," runs on bio-diesel fuel, consumes half the fuel of conventional models, and is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency for low emissions.

"This is a win-win investment, with a new locomotive that will last the Navy 20 to 25 years, offering improved reliability, reduced maintenance and fuel cost, and significantly less impact on the environment," said Gerald Sims, Base Support Vehicles and Equipment branch manager for Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Midwest's Public Works Department (PWD) Crane, which procured and operates the locomotive. "We've been operating the new locomotive for less than two weeks, and it has already impressed everyone."

The locomotive is one of eight used to stage Crane Army Ammunition Activity (CAAA) ordnance for shipment to U.S. forces around the world. PWD crews operate the locomotives along 95 miles of railroad running between magazines throughout the heavily-wooded 63,000-acre base.

This is PWD's first locomotive to be overhauled by the Illinois-based National Railway Equipment Company, as part of a plan to upgrade the base's fleet. During the next two years, NAVFAC will purchase two brand-new locomotives and overhaul one more. Sims said the new models' improvements will ultimately allow PWD to support CAAA using fewer locomotives at a reduced operating cost.

Sims said each new locomotive brings with it a 40-60 percent reduction in fuel consumption, 85-90 percent reduction in exhaust and noise emissions, and a 35-50 percent reduction in maintenance costs.

"This locomotive includes advanced engine technology and is much more efficient and reliable," said Sims. "Its computer-controlled traction features allow it to pull the same load with a smaller power plant. All of that means it can operate more efficiently, consuming less fuel and reducing maintenance down time."

The 250,000-pound locomotive runs on a 700-horsepower, 1,200-cubic-inch, six-cylinder Cummins diesel engine that is easier to maintain than its predecessors.

"If this locomotive's diesel power plant requires major maintenance or has any mechanical problems, we can just swap it out for another power plant that's ready to go," said Sims. "With the older models, it has been getting more difficult and time consuming just to locate repair parts before we can even begin repairs. With this new system we can swap out the entire power plant and install a new one within a day or so."

Established in 1941, NSA Crane provides high-tech acquisition and fleet support focused on ordnance, electronics, and electronic warfare for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Special Operations Command, Coast Guard, NASA and other military, civilian and foreign military organizations.

NAVFAC Midwest provides civil engineering, public works, and environmental support to Navy, Marine Corps and other Department of Defense activities across the 16 states that comprise Navy Region Midwest.

The command's 900 employees include civilian architects, engineers, acquisition specialists, environmental specialists, public works trades people, and administrative personnel, as well as active-duty Civil Engineer Corps officers, Seabees, and Reservists.