California’s Surfliner Now Runs on Vegetable Oil-Based Fuel

The California Surfliner now runs on fuel derived from vegetable oil, as reported by the railway portal Railway Supply.

According to the local agency managing coastal services, the adoption of renewable fuel is a “significant milestone.”

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The Pacific Surfliner, an Amtrak route along California’s sun-soaked coast, now runs on biodiesel throughout its 351-mile (564 km) route.

The line stretches from San Luis Obispo through Los Angeles (and the greater Southern California area) down to San Diego.

It stops near several popular surfing spots like Santa Barbara and Lompoc-Surf – with the station just steps away from the beach and waves.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Amtrak, the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, and the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority were involved in making the biodiesel plan a reality.

But the executive decision to make the change in 2023 was made by the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency (LOSSAN).

The Surfliner already operates on diesel-electric Charger locomotives, effectively making them hybrids.

Siemens’ Charger locomotives received a Tier IV emissions certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indicating they are among the most climate-friendly diesel locomotives operating in the U.S.

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