STOCKTON, Calif. – The Stockton Terminal & Eastern Railroad will purchase a new Knoxville Locomotive Works unit with grant money awarded by the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Central District. Under the grant program, the agency is providing cash incentives for the purchase of the new environment-friendly locomotive, which will be purchased by the end of 2018, for use within the district.

“We appreciate the partnership with the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Central District and the effort they are making to provide incentives to area businesses supporting their vision of improving the quality of life in the communities it serves. These public-private relationships drive mutually beneficial activities that can dramatically improve our society,” says Kevin Shuba, CEO of Stockton Terminal parent OmniTrax.

The grant is part of the agency’s Locomotive Program, which provides incentive funds for the replacement of older locomotives with new, energy efficient models. It is one of several voluntary incentive programs targeted at reducing emissions throughout the San Joaquin Valley that the agency administers.

“The District is committed to bringing significant incentive dollars to the Valley, especially in disadvantaged communities such as those around the Stockton Rail Terminal and Eastern Railroad. These are the types of private/public partnerships that are vital in improving air quality and public health throughout the Valley,” says Seyed Sadredin, executive director of the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Central District.

The new locomotive is a KLW SE10B T4L. The engine is U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tier-4 compliant, delivering 1,050 hp from an MTU 2000 V12 prime mover.

OmniTrax acquired the 25-mile short line in 2011, which was incorporated in 1908.