Toll Rail's Fuel-Saver Scheme

摘要

At the end of last year the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority awarded Toll Rail an Energywise Award for its fuel-saver scheme. Toll Rail's Locomotive Performance Engineer Theo Klok and Christchurch Locomotive Operations Manager Brent Gillett outline the scheme, and how it will be nationally adopted. Concern at the rising cost of fuel prompted Toll Rail to investigate ways of reducing fuel consumption by its locomotives. Tests were carried out during 2006 using coal trains on the Midland Line, as the South Island coal route carries some of the biggest tonnages each year on the rail network. Coal is also one of Toll Rail's main revenue earners. Coal trains are mainly a fixed consist of 30 wagons, so train weights are consistent. Locomotive power is consistent as the locomotives are either a DXB/DXB or DXB/DXH combination.