Rail emissions

Last updated on July 24, 2023

Last updated: July 24, 2023

Rail emissions can be a concern because railway switching yards and rail lines are often located near populated areas. Trains are powered by very large diesel engines. The pollutants emitted by trains are similar to those emitted by large trucks.

Railway locomotives produce a relatively higher proportion of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions than on-road diesel engines since the diesel fuel used by locomotives has a higher sulphur content.

In British Columbia, rail transportation is about 1.6% of total emissions of fine particulate matter, 1.2% of SO₂ emissions, and 9.5% of NO_x emissions.

Regulation

On-road diesel engines are required to use ultra-low-sulphur diesel fuel with less than 15 mg/kg sulphur content.

Rail emissions in Canada are regulated by Transport Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada. For the latest regulations, please see Transport Canada's Locomotive Emissions Regulations site.

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Rail emissions

Regulation