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Natural gas could be cheaper, cleaner way to run a railroad

Houston Chronicle -- On a 300-mile stretch of railroad in the plains of eastern Alberta, a test train chugs across the landscape burning a fuel that once made sense only to environmentalists.

It runs on natural gas. And today, that makes sense to business leaders whose top priority is cutting costs.

Over the last two weeks, train industry executives and others have been talking more about natural gas, as meetings in Houston and Chicago highlighted interest in a fuel that could slash one of railways' top costs.

Representatives from major rail companies and related manufacturers met in private at a Houston hotel conference room last month to talk about how to push forward what could be the next great shift in train technology - a cataclysmic transition similar to the move decades ago from coal to diese

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Submitted Oct 10, 2012 By: aservant

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,609 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Oct 15, 2012 11:51:49 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse if it can be done, then let's do it!
nb52 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:7,775 Points:1,545,875 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Oct 11, 2012 12:33:22 AM Ignore nb52 Report Abuse good for them!
yardslave Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,549 Points:595,830 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Oct 11, 2012 12:04:37 AM Ignore yardslave Report Abuse Ok...
VanIsleLes All-Star Author British Columbia Posts:898 Points:276,095 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 7:25:37 PM Ignore VanIsleLes Report Abuse Give it a try
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:8,480 Points:1,670,195 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 7:02:18 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse Natural gas can not be pumped into vehicles, by the average Joe... so much infrastructure would have to be addend... and then the price would rise... Hello people... don't buy the Kool Aide... do some real research.
RoadKing95 Champion Author San Jose Posts:20,548 Points:3,602,265 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 5:38:03 PM Ignore RoadKing95 Report Abuse Natural gas is a good thing. It would be great if we could utilize it to replace oil-based products for trains, buses, trucking, government vehicles (USPS) as well as all the cars the government has. Corporations like FedEx, UPS, etc. would benefit as well. The BIG problem is as many here have stated is that if we start to depend on it it WILL increase the price. Who is in control of it? Of course it's big oil that extracts it and they are the ones in control, but just like with oil, it is a commodity and will go on the commodity market and you know what that means. Yep, you guessed it "SPECULATORS". Now, if only we could do something, anything to get the speculators under control. I know that a lot of folks here believe the reason we pay so much at the pump is due to speculation. I agree. Many here want to know why hasn't Obama done something about it? He has tried. Unfortunately every time he tries to push something through your representatives in congress block it. The CFTC (Commodities Futures Trading Commision) is responsible, but the Republican controlled House has done their best to neuter them. They have cut their budget and would be more than happy to dissolve it altogether. If you want to end all this speculator madness you need to get your Congressperson to do something about it or get a Democrat in their place.
my2002m Champion Author Tulsa Posts:6,069 Points:1,669,325 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 4:45:23 PM Ignore my2002m Report Abuse It is till we start exporting it. Then we will all pay higher prices.
melvindale Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,438 Points:351,230 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 4:19:57 PM Ignore melvindale Report Abuse If all the ideas to use natural gas came to pass, then natural gas would become expensive.
judgemobile Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,565 Points:2,444,160 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 4:10:37 PM Ignore judgemobile Report Abuse why not use the MOST NATURAL gas, of which there is an unlimited supply--human methane ?
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,984 Points:1,111,375 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:57:35 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse "From an air quality perspective, the science suggests that natural gas has significant benefits compared with other fossil fuels, but from a climate perspective more research is needed," So what fuel will the TreeHuggers vote for???
walkingtall Champion Author Toronto Posts:3,989 Points:1,119,730 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:57:09 PM Ignore walkingtall Report Abuse Natural gas could be cheaper,cleaner way to run a railroad and don't worry natural gas prices are heading up this winter season.
rfm1892 Rookie Author Arkansas Posts:44 Points:5,115 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:50:34 PM Ignore rfm1892 Report Abuse Hope it works!
Alaydown Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,106 Points:821,570 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:47:42 PM Ignore Alaydown Report Abuse Just wait until the DemocRATs and the EPA ban fracking and see the price of natural gas skyrocket.
BAN_e10_GAS Sophomore Author Texas Posts:118 Points:433,735 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:45:17 PM Ignore BAN_e10_GAS Report Abuse Go for it--WITHOUT SUBSIDIES!!! Natural gas is from the North American continent. Now, if we can just get something useful from the un-natural gas in D.C. [Edited by: BAN_e10_GAS at 10/10/2012 9:47:20 PM EST]
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:51,279 Points:2,141,975 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:43:00 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse On Oct 10, 2012 8:28:50 PM, caravanguy wrote: >As they talk about cheaper natural gas, the headlines here say >that natural gas prices are going up this heating season. A good bit of the cost of retail natural gas is in the transmission and distribution of it, and those costs aren't going down.
brutherruther Veteran Author Fort Worth Posts:435 Points:237,540 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:42:25 PM Ignore brutherruther Report Abuse Ok
mfeldstein Champion Author Ottawa Posts:8,166 Points:1,929,405 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:41:46 PM Ignore mfeldstein Report Abuse Could be. But then there'd be no smokestacks.
farn1958 All-Star Author Twin Cities Posts:886 Points:183,385 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:32:31 PM Ignore farn1958 Report Abuse ok
RitaVespa Champion Author Oregon Posts:2,976 Points:791,285 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:30:10 PM Ignore RitaVespa Report Abuse Lets use CNG to fuel our vehicles. Just need distribution system
caravanguy Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:1,089 Points:1,037,710 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:28:50 PM Ignore caravanguy Report Abuse As they talk about cheaper natural gas, the headlines here say that natural gas prices are going up this heating season.
TDIdave Champion Author California Posts:5,053 Points:1,223,765 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:28:44 PM Ignore TDIdave Report Abuse Interesting.
caravanguy Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:1,089 Points:1,037,710 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:27:56 PM Ignore caravanguy Report Abuse Don't worry the next administration and congress will work hard to mess it up if it makes sense.
skyking19 Champion Author Little Rock Posts:1,996 Points:1,697,965 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:27:45 PM Ignore skyking19 Report Abuse Interesting.
njerald Champion Author Seattle Posts:7,819 Points:1,622,100 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:27:00 PM Ignore njerald Report Abuse Sounds good....NO tax $$$$$$$$$$$
DABEE1073 Champion Author San Diego Posts:8,195 Points:1,571,135 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:23:26 PM Ignore DABEE1073 Report Abuse THIS IS A GREAT IDEA. NOW ONLY IF THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON DOES NOT SCREW IT UP.
mlmeng Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,628 Points:590,045 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:22:53 PM Ignore mlmeng Report Abuse Since trains are mostly diesel electric means diesel engine generates electricity, a natural gas version of this make sense.
mecforyou Champion Author Iowa Posts:2,962 Points:1,260,180 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:21:25 PM Ignore mecforyou Report Abuse i don't see it powering trains or trucks
aggietim Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:1,756 Points:693,325 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:17:22 PM Ignore aggietim Report Abuse hmm
jpgilmor Champion Author Houston Posts:2,160 Points:602,975 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:16:44 PM Ignore jpgilmor Report Abuse About time someone looked at the CNG option.
benjy Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,591 Points:1,787,550 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:15:18 PM Ignore benjy Report Abuse I'd give it a shot....
Darwin00 All-Star Author Mississippi Posts:829 Points:269,560 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:14:20 PM Ignore Darwin00 Report Abuse Go natural gas!!!
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,411 Points:421,925 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:14:07 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse maybe
isukatthis Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:1,075 Points:433,565 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:11:14 PM Ignore isukatthis Report Abuse Good luck!!
PoohMcGoo Champion Author Alabama Posts:3,067 Points:799,835 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:08:25 PM Ignore PoohMcGoo Report Abuse Do it
IUVidiot Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,580 Points:707,385 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:07:25 PM Ignore IUVidiot Report Abuse hope it works
gerreg All-Star Author Nebraska Posts:774 Points:1,645,780 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:07:18 PM Ignore gerreg Report Abuse ok
swrestler Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:6,130 Points:1,570,850 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:04:16 PM Ignore swrestler Report Abuse Sounds Good To Me.., Natural Gas Is The Way To Go...
nztyraider Champion Author Nevada Posts:2,273 Points:692,575 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 3:02:41 PM Ignore nztyraider Report Abuse Which will in turn skyrocket the price of natural gas.
hammer219115 Veteran Author Pennsylvania Posts:411 Points:22,950 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 2:57:32 PM Ignore hammer219115 Report Abuse Oh,how helpful.
Group23 Champion Author Greensboro Posts:1,243 Points:438,440 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 2:57:21 PM Ignore Group23 Report Abuse They can pull their own fuel tanks.
200porter Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,055 Points:540,935 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 2:52:34 PM Ignore 200porter Report Abuse Once these guys are running on natural gas, the price to the consumer will go up significantly.
Jmac2008 Champion Author Missouri Posts:2,269 Points:880,165 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 2:52:04 PM Ignore Jmac2008 Report Abuse ok
bevmill Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,572 Points:598,595 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 2:51:26 PM Ignore bevmill Report Abuse ok
ShutRBug Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,524 Points:653,365 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 2:50:22 PM Ignore ShutRBug Report Abuse Sure. Why not
PizzaMon Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:5,134 Points:1,861,530 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 2:47:09 PM Ignore PizzaMon Report Abuse Railroads don't seem to be over enthusiastic about this idea.
IMLURCH Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,179 Points:1,102,205 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 2:44:44 PM Ignore IMLURCH Report Abuse go for it
soups5 Veteran Author Victoria Posts:377 Points:569,595 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 2:41:28 PM Ignore soups5 Report Abuse sounds good to me
ok603 All-Star Author Boston Posts:945 Points:563,800 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 2:37:37 PM Ignore ok603 Report Abuse Natural gas for me
knot2swift Champion Author Calgary Posts:4,379 Points:696,025 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 2:34:18 PM Ignore knot2swift Report Abuse No doubt many idiots being paid insane money are clueing into this fact. The world is all about kissing butt and not what you know.
dan30thz28 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:5,908 Points:1,981,040 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2012 2:33:17 PM Ignore dan30thz28 Report Abuse Sounds good to me.