RailPower, makers of the Green Goat series hybrid switch locomotive (earlier post) has developed a cabless version aimed at the remote control switching market.

BNSF has ordered four of the new GG20B cabless hybrids with delivery this year for operation in Texas. BNSF also announced that it plans to keep its original Green Goat hybrid operating in Los Angeles for five more years.

BNSF’s LA Green Goat joins four Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) locomotives in service elsewhere in the area; the four are the only LNG locomotives in the country.

RailPower’s hybrid locomotives use (relatively) small diesel gensets and large banks of recyclable lead-acid batteries. Remanufactured from existing switcher locomotives, they cut oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) and particulates 80%–90%, while reducing greenhouse gases and diesel fuel consumption 40%–70% when compared to conventional yard switchers in the 1,000 to 2,000 horsepower range.

Separately, RailPower announced that another as yet unnamed North American Class 1 railroad has ordered 10 Green Goat hybrids. Two units will be delivered in 2005 and the balance in 2006.