Breathe California Awards California Northern Railroad Company the 2011 Clean Air Champion “Business Award”

6/24/2011 12:00:00 AM

California Northern Railroad Company was recognized for being an industry model by reducing emission and noise along their short line railroad routes


DAVIS, Calif., June 16, 2011— California Northern Railroad Company (CFNR), a short line railroad providing clean, alternative transportation of agricultural, food and construction products over 260 miles of track in the Sacramento Valley, today announced that is has been honored by Breathe California, an organization dedicated to fighting lung disease and advocating for clean air, with the 2011 Clean Air Champion Business Award. CFNR was recognized for being an industry model by reducing emission and noise along their short line railroad routes.

“CFNR is blazing the trail to ‘get smart’ and operate energy efficient locomotives,” said Kori Titus, Chief Executive Officer of Breathe California of Sacramento – Emigrant Trails. “This railroad’s technological breakthroughs have significantly improved the air of our surrounding communities.”

CFNR’s entire fleet has been converted to be more environmentally friendly with the addition of six (6) GenSet locomotives. These ultra low-emitting, low-noise locomotives have helped to reduce emissions by 80% and are expected to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%. This equals a reduction of up to 860 tons of emissions for each locomotive over 20 years. The railroad has also earned an impressive Tier 3 non-road emission standard by the EPA.

“On behalf of employees of CFNR, I thank Breathe California for this honor,” said Don Seil, who was CFNR General Manager and is now Regional Vice President of RailAmerica’s Southeast Region. “We are hopeful that this investment will lead the way in setting an example for other railroads to follow in California and across North America.”

About Breathe California of Sacramento – Emigrant Trails
Breathe California of Sacramento – Emigrant Trails was founded in 1917 as the Sacramento Society for the Prevention and Cure of Tuberculosis and then the American Lung Association of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails. The organization has been a champion in fighting for clean air, healthy lungs and a tobacco-free future in the Sacramento Region for more than 94 years by partnering with youth, advocating public policy, supporting air pollution research, and educating the public.

About California Northern Railroad Company
California Northern Railroad Company (CFNR), managed by RailAmerica, Inc., operates over 260 miles of main track located in three segments of the Sacramento, San Joaquin and Napa valleys, transporting a diverse mix of agricultural, food and construction products. The short-line railroad interchanges with Union Pacific Railroad at three locations, allowing products to move between points on the CFNR and other parts of the country.

About RailAmerica, Inc.
RailAmerica, Inc. owns and operates short line and regional freight railroads in North America, operating a portfolio of 43 individual railroads with approximately 7,400 miles of track in 27 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.  For more information, visit www.railamerica.com.