Albany Port Railroad welcomes new Tier 4 Locomotive
Upgrades to the Port RR’s fleet line up with environmental initiatives throughout the Port of Albany
(January 12, 2026) Last week, Albany Port Railroad celebrated the arrival of its newest locomotive #2502 with NYS Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez and dignitaries from throughout the region.
In Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement, Albany Port Railroad was one of 25 projects that received a total of $101 million investment in New York’s port and freight rail infrastructure under the state’s Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program (PFRAP). The funding for Port Railroad helped to offset cost increases for its Tier 4-compliant switch locomotive, replacing its current Tier 0 unit.
“Think of this new engine like a hot rod. We took the body of a 1970s locomotive and put in all new and some refurbished parts making this 1500 HP engine the most compliant and environmentally friendly diesel burning engine used on the railroad today,” said Albany Port Railroad General Manager John Gaylord III. “Thank you to Governor Hochul and New York State Transportation Commissioner Dominguez for this critical support.”
With a Cummins-built 1500hp engine (EPA-certified QST30), this locomotive is quieter and more environmentally-friendly in keeping with Green Marine guidelines, and will reduce NOx emissions by 90%, decrease of fuel consumption by 15%, and increase in tractive effort and adhesion by 20-20%
The Albany Port Railroad Corporation is a tenant of the APDC and has served the Port of Albany since 1975. It provides on-site industrial trackage services as well as moving heavy lift and other cargo throughout the Port. Owned and operated by CSX and CP Rail, Albany Port Railroad is in close proximity to Canadian Pacific Railway’s major classification yard at Kenwood Yards and CSX Transportation’s major classification yard at Selkirk, both Class 1 rail access.
“Port of Albany leadership recognized early on how important the Green Marine initiative is, so we became early adopters. The Port of Albany was the first port in New York State to volunteer and certify in the Green Marine program,” said Port of Albany CEO Richard Hendrick. “We see every day the impact that all industries have on our environment, especially the Hudson River. By coming together with our Port tenants, business neighbors, and other maritime related businesses, and by making strategic adjustments, we make a difference.”
The Port’s Environmental Policy is to strive to conduct activities in a sustainable manner defined as environmentally responsible, community-driven, and economically beneficial. Respecting the environment is important for the Hudson River watershed and neighboring communities in addition to the sustained operations of the Port.
Green Marine is a leading voluntary international program for the maritime industry that advocates environmental practices and enhancements and provides a comprehensive framework for ports and maritime companies to assess and improve their environmental performance. Participants must demonstrate continual and measurable improvement year after year. The Port has demonstrated exceptional environmental leadership as evidenced by its consecutive Green Marine certification since 2016.
The Port continues to be an economic engine in the Capital Region and for New York. The Port directly and indirectly supports more than 4,500 jobs and close to a billion dollars in economic impact throughout the state on an annual basis.
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With four transport modes -- ocean vessels, barges, freight railroads, interstate highways -- the Port of Albany is Upstate New York’s largest public port/logistics hub and serves as a Port of Entry with on-site U.S. Customs office and bonded warehouse. The Port is open and active year-round and includes deep-water shipping access and approximately 450 acres of land on both sides of the Hudson River in three municipalities. The Port of Albany is located 124 nautical miles north of the Battery in New York Harbor. The facility is currently undertaking nearly $100 million in maritime upgrades and investment as well as a $700+ million Port expansion project. For more information, visit www.portofalbany.us.