In March 2008, EPA finalized a three part program that will dramatically reduce emissions from diesel locomotives of all types -- line-haul, switch, and passenger rail. The rule will cut PM emissions from these engines by as much as 90 percent and NOx emissions by as much as 80 percent when fully implemented. The standards are based on the application of high-efficiency catalytic aftertreatment technology for freshly manufactured engines built in 2015 and later.
EPA standards also apply for existing locomotives when they are remanufactured. Requirements are also in place to reduce idling for new and remanufactured locomotives.
This page provides general and technical information on the locomotive rulemakings that affect railroads, locomotive manufacturers, and remanufacturers.
General Information
Regulations and Guidance
Related Links
General Information
Fact Sheet: Control of Emissions from Idling Locomotives (PDF) (4 pp, 98K, EPA420-F-08-014, March 2008, reviewed September 2012)
Fact Sheet: Federal Preemption of State and Local Standards for Locomotives (PDF) (3 pp, 11K, EPA420-F-97-050, December 1997)
Summary of emission standards
Regulations and Guidance
See the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) for the full text of current regulations that apply to locomotives:
40 CFR part 1033 Emission Standards and Certification Requirements
40 CFR part 1065 Exhaust Emission Test Procedures – See 40 CFR 1033.501 for instructions on applying these test procedures to locomotives.
40 CFR part 1068 General Compliance Provisions – See 40 CFR 1033.601 for instructions on applying these compliance provisions to locomotives.
2010 Amendments (published November 8, 2010)
Final Rule (PDF) (20 pp, 366k)
See Heavy-duty Highway Engines for more information
Emission Standards (published June 30, 2008)
Fact Sheet: EPA Finalizes More Stringent Emissions Standards for Locomotive Engines and Marine Compression-Ignition Engines (PDF) (5 pp, 134K, EPA420-F-08-004, March 2008)
Fact Sheet: Emission Factors for Locomotives (PDF) (9 pp, 260K, EPA420-F-09-025, April 2009)
Final Rule (PDF) (255 pp, 2.10MB)
Regulatory Impact Analysis
Summary and Analysis of Comments
See the rulemaking docket for additional information
See the Proposed Rule (published April 3, 2007) and the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (published June 29, 2004) for the rules, fact sheets, and technical support documents.
Procedures for Testing Highway and Nonroad Engines and Omnibus Technical Amendments (published July 13, 2005)
Fact Sheet: Regulatory Announcement: Changed Test Procedures for Nonroad Engines and Heavy-Duty Highway Engines (PDF) (4 pp, 134K, EPA420-F-05-036, July 2005)
Final Rule (PDF) (193 pp, 7.48MB)
Technical Support Document and Summary & Analysis of Comments (PDF)
See Proposed Technical Amendments for the proposed rule, fact sheet, and technical support documents (published September 10, 2004).
1998 Locomotive Emissions Final Rule (published April 16, 1998)
Final Rule (PDF) (107 pp, 1.13MB)
Summary Analysis of Comments (PDF) (141 pp, 1.1MB, EPA-420-R-97-101, December 1997)
Regulatory Support Document (PDF) (189 pp, 3.63MB, EPA-420-R-98-101, April 1998)
Fact Sheets:
Applicability of Locomotive Emission Standards (PDF) (4 pp, 77K, EPA420-F-99-037, September 1999)
Final Emission Standards for Locomotives (PDF) (6 pp, 19K, EPA420-F-97-048, December 1997)
Requirements for Railroads Regarding Locomotive Exhaust Emission Standards (PDF) (3 pp, 92K, EPA420-F-99-036, September 1999)
Docket Listing (PDF) (26 pp, 61K)
See the Proposed Rule (published January 31, 1997).
Related Links:
Emission Standards Reference Guide
Verify
Certification Tools
Engine Certification Information Center
Certification Fees
Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation
National Clean Diesel Campaign
Nonroad Diesel Equipment
Diesel Fuel
Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance Exit EPA Disclaimer
