This national park train is getting an electrifying makeover: 'A unique chance to bring modern efficiency to a historic rail icon'
The Grand Canyon Railway has received $3.4 million in federal funding to convert one of its classic diesel-powered locomotives to a battery-powered one, Matador Network reported. This new electric locomotive project will deliver a more positive guest experience while helping to preserve the beauty and environment of this iconic national park.
The Grand Canyon Railway runs from Williams, Arizona, to the south rim of the Grand Canyon, spanning 64 miles. The train runs daily, transporting more than 225,000 visitors yearly and keeping approximately 50,000 cars out of Grand Canyon National Park.
Eric Hadder, GCR chief mechanical officer, explained in a news release that each end of the track is at a similar elevation but that the railroad drops 1,100 feet in the middle.
If you were going to purchase an EV which of these factors would be most important to you?
Good driving range
Affordable sticker price
High-tech safety features
Cheap maintenance costs
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
"As we're coming down the hill toward the center of the railroad, the energy from our braking efforts is being dissipated as heat," he said. "So, what we thought is if we were able to recapture that energy and store it as electricity in our batteries, then we could recharge our batteries on the downhill and then continue to use that energy in order to propel the train up the hill on the other side."
Regenerative braking, a key feature of this project, allows electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles to convert kinetic energy from braking into electrical energy that recharges the vehicle's battery. For the new locomotive, this extends its range, allowing it to travel one full round trip on a single charge, according to Matador Network.
Going electric and using regenerative braking not only reduces wasted energy, but it also reduces dependence on diesel — a dirty energy source that, when burned, contributes to harmful air pollution and the rising global temperature. An electric-powered locomotive produces zero exhaust stack pollution, meaning cleaner air for passengers as well as a quieter ride.
A grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program funds 80% of this exciting electric conversion project, which is set to be finished by 2027. The remaining portion falls to Xanterra, the company that operates the GCR, per Matador Network.
"This project is a unique chance to bring modern efficiency to a historic rail icon," Hadder said, per KTAR News.
Kevin Crosby, director of sustainability at Xanterra, added, "This project will significantly reduce the already low environmental impact of visiting the Grand Canyon via rail."
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
J-1 student workers essential for summer hiring
Jun. 1—There were murmurings of different languages amongst stacks of suitcases at the Xanterra office in Columbia Falls. It was a cool, rainy day, and J-1 student workers from around the world were getting their first impression of Montana. Assistant Director of Human Resources Christine Wright said it's an exciting time of year as they welcome the student workers into the fold. "I love it when they arrive and it's all new to them. They're so excited and they've done tons of research. "But they get here, and it's still just like, 'Wow, all the pictures and information I looked up still doesn't tell the whole story," she said. The J-1 visa, also known as the Exchange Visitor Visa or J student visa, is for anyone outside of the U.S. who wishes to take part in study and work-related exchange programs. The program aims to foster global understanding through educational and cultural exchanges, according to BridgeUSA, the agency which oversees J-1 visas for the U.S. Department of State. Companies in Northwest Montana see bringing in J1 student workers as a win-win: students from abroad get a taste of American culture and a chance to work in beautiful scenery, while companies fill necessary positions before the hustle and bustle of summertime. To participate in the Exchange Visitor Program, foreign nationals must be sponsored by one of the State Department-designated sponsors, according to BridgeUSA. Sponsors are responsible for screening and selecting those eligible for participation in their designated exchange visitor program, as well as supporting and monitoring exchange visitors during their stay here. Once someone obtains a DS-2019 form from a sponsor, they can apply for a J-1 visa at their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. According to BridgeUSA, Montana had more than 2,700 J-1 workers in 2023, the latest available data. While Montana boasts many job opportunities in tourism, states like California and New York saw around 27,000 J-1 workers that same year. The agency reports that J-1 visa participants come to the U.S. from more than 200 countries and that 54% of them are female. Director of Human Resources Victoria Nix said Xanterra works with companies that operate in student's home countries, which collaborate with American sponsor agencies to advertise the Visitor Exchange Program abroad. "We don't talk directly to the universities or to the students at first, those in-country agencies are working with our sponsor to do all of that first recruiting and talk about the program. Then there's almost like a job board, where we create profiles and share information about our jobs, and they can select us as a host employer from those lists," she said. Xanterra is hiring 240 student workers for the upcoming summer season in Glacier National Park. Nix said these employees cover a critical time during the shoulder seasons, when college students haven't arrived yet in May and when they leave in August to return to school. There is a big effort to hire domestically too, as that's where they hire the majority of their employees. But, having J-1s to cover the beginning and end of the season is critical. "I don't think that we would be able to remain open without our BridgeUSA students. We have about 750 seasonal employees, so we're still hiring about 600 domestic employees every summer, but those students supplement all of our operations," she said. Whitefish Mountain Resort has been hiring J-1 workers since 2005, according to Public Relations Manager Chad Sokol. He said part of the process of hiring J-1s is showing the State Department that the company has tried to hire domestically. "There's a variety of factors, including application patterns from current and past seasons, so we know which departments tend to have the biggest staffing needs. We're very often in need of housekeepers, for instance," Sokol said. He said the program helps fill positions that would otherwise go unfilled. It's why Whitefish Mountain Resort Human Resource Director Kristi Hanchett wrote a letter to congressional representatives earlier this month asking them for continued support of the program. She wrote that without a doubt, if the resort wasn't able to hire J-1 visa holding employees in the future, the needs of guests would not be met. She referenced the summer of 2021 when the resort only hired eight J-1 employees and had to close on Tuesdays and Wednesdays due to lack of staff. "It's been an incredibly rewarding program for us, our business and the visiting students, many of whom choose to return for multiple seasons. They are valued members of the Whitefish Mountain Resort team, and we appreciate the wealth of experiences they bring to the mountain," Sokol said. The Trump administration's crackdown on immigration has brought up questions about the future for the Exchange Visitor Visa program. While Xanterra is watching the issue closely, Nix said there hasn't been an increase in visa denials, just the occasional question from applicants. Sokol said the resort hasn't had any hiring issues either. "I think our students coming in are still really excited ... but I definitely think this is an important year to continue advocacy for the program," she said. Working with CIEE, Whitefish Mountain Resort hired 40 J-1 visa holders from Jamaica, Spain and Romania for the summer season. Typically, the resort hosts about 75 visa holders each winter and has begun the hiring process for the 2025-26 ski season, Sokol notes. The country that sends the most students to work for Xanterra in Glacier National Park is Thailand, according to Nix. She said that's because the dates available best match what applicants are looking for and that it's a good fit culturally. Glacier National Park is also known to go viral on TikTok, which helps with hiring — Nix said it's something candidates often bring up in interviews. Though Thailand is the top sending country, the company also works with students from Bulgaria, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Romania, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and Ukraine, among others. Nix said Xanterra hiring staff have gone on several trips to the top sending countries in recent years, where they learned more about cultures and met potential hires face-to-face. Some of the students show up and immediately look for Nix, because they are eager to see a familiar face. "A lot of times they bring us gifts from their countries, which is really cute, like a little tea or candy, something small," she said. "But yeah, it's a really fun reunion when we get to see them again. Two girls that were checking in this morning poked their head in my office and were like 'Hi, Victoria! Do you remember us?' I was like, 'Yeah!'" Preferences of the workers are considered during placement within the park. Nix said those who are very eager to hike and backpack typically love Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, while those who want to be a little closer to town prefer Lake McDonald Lodge. There's a draw in working at the beautiful Many Glacier Hotel for some hires, and Nix said it's one of the most requested locations. Once they arrive, summer starts rolling fast for these exchange workers. Students are taken to rodeos and firework shows on the Fourth of July, among other activities, to show-off American culture. But the exchange goes both ways with U.S. employees learning about their coworker's culture. It's the kind of closeness that comes with working side-by-side all summer long, Nix said. "It's always a 'cry-fest' on our check out days, because everyone forms really strong friendships. They're working with everyone every day," Nix said. "So, on big checkout days, if you drive up on property, you'll just see hordes of employees, both domestic and international, all hugging and crying and maybe kissing — whatever the nature of the relationship was." While they occasionally get homesick, Nix said the students generally have good sentiments about their time in Glacier National Park. They may be happy to come back another summer or already have plans with their coworkers to come visit them in their home country. While the Visitor Exchange Program may solve a lot of logistical issues for hiring managers in Northwest Montana, Nix said her favorite part of the program is the connections made by employees. "It's really beautiful to see another human being, person-to-person, and to maybe learn their country's games or share food with them or tell stories around a campfire," Nix said. "So, I think it's good for global diplomacy and global citizenship, because it's bringing people from all over the world together in a beautiful place like Glacier." Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4440 or by emailing tinman@
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Centipede-inspired robots promise cheaper weed control for vineyards, blueberry farms
A giant robotic centipede could soon crawl out of the lab and into vineyards and blueberry farms in the United States. Inspired by nature's long, slender, and wiggly movers, Ground Control Robotics (GCR), an Atlanta-based startup, has developed a robotic centipede designed specifically for tough agricultural terrain. Built with a simple design, the robot consists of a sensor-equipped head followed by several identical segments connected by cables, each powered by a couple of motors that move its legs. While this setup technically offers many degrees of freedom, it achieves impressive performance through relatively straightforward control methods. 'Centipede robots, like snake robots, essentially move like swimmers,' explains Daniel Goldman, director of CRAB (Complex Rheology and Biomechanics) Lab at Georgia Institute of Technology, told IEEE Spectrum. But the addition of legs lets these robots navigate a wider variety of environments. Their unique cable-driven legs generate a fluid-like thrust mimicking the motion of real arthropods, allowing these 'robophysical' models to 'swim' through uneven ground without getting stuck or damaging crops. By carefully coordinating the lifting and lowering of legs, the robot can help it push off surfaces and maintain steady, reliable motion. 'We developed a new mechanism that shifts actuation from the robot's centerline out to the sides via cables,' Goldman said. 'When tuned correctly, the robot transforms from rigid to flexible in one direction, and that's when the magic happens — it can swim through complex terrain effortlessly, all without any brain power.' Unlike traditional robots, these multi-legged machines navigate complex environments with surprising ease. The initial focus is on automating weed control and crop monitoring in perennial farms where traditional machinery struggles. Manual weeding in such fields can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars per acre, with labor shortages only making it harder. According to GCR, no automated solutions currently exist for weed control around tangled, bushy, or vine-like crops such as blueberries, strawberries, or grapes. The company believes their robotic centipedes could be the game-changing alternative. 'We want to send the robot as close to the crops as possible,' Goldman said. 'And we don't want a bigger, clunkier machine to destroy those fields.' GCR anticipates that its robotic centipedes will be significantly more affordable than conventional agricultural robots, with projected costs in the thousand-dollar range. This cost efficiency stems from the relatively inexpensive leg modules and the reliance on mechanical intelligence rather than complex sensors or computational systems. The company envisions deploying a decentralized swarm of these robots capable of operating autonomously in fields around the clock. In the initial phase, the robots will focus on scouting and monitoring, which already provides substantial value to farmers. The bug-like robot can deliver herbicide directly to the weed as well as remove it mechanically. Ground Control Robotics Over time, GCR aims to equip the robots with active weed-removal mechanisms—potentially including specialized grippers or even laser-based solutions—offering a scalable, low-cost alternative to existing methods. Ground Control Robotics is currently collaborating with a blueberry grower and a vineyard owner in Georgia to conduct pilot programs. These trials will help refine the robot's navigation and sensing capabilities before broader deployment. The company is also exploring potential applications beyond agriculture. Future use cases could include disaster relief operations and even military deployments. However, as Daniel Goldman notes, different environments may necessitate alternative limb configurations or the capability for the limbs to retract entirely, depending on specific operational demands.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Yahoo
Huge heritage rail scheme showcased at event
Two halves of a heritage railway are being brought to life at a special event. The Great Central Railway (GCR) aims to reconnect Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to create an 18-mile (29-km) stretch of railway. Railway bosses said the event will showcase "one of the biggest projects in rail preservation" including computer animations of how the lines from Loughborough to Ruddington will be linked. Malcolm Holmes, general manager at GCR, said the weekend was a chance to celebrate the achievements of the multi-million pound reunification project and to let people know their next steps. GCR first welcomed passengers between Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire in 1899 as part of a wider network but the last passenger services closed in 1969. Key parts of the scheme, including rebuilding three major bridges, have been completed. Plans for more work to reunite the tracks, which will include a new viaduct, were submitted in July. At the event from 5-6 April, visitors can take a guided tour of the track-bed and experience a vintage rail replacement bus service linking the missing track. Mr Holmes added: "Work is already underway to rebuild the short section of railway, but this special weekend will give everyone a taste of that exciting future right now." Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Huge milestone in bid to reunite heritage railways Plans for new viaduct to reunite heritage railways Railways to reunite for first time in decades Great Central Railway
