CSR Featured in Wired Magzine

"BACK ON TRACK" - CSR Project 130 is featured in this month's (October, 2012) WiredMagazine.  Written by author and conceptual artist Jonathon Keats, the piece takes a modern, "geeky" approach to the project. This article comes at a time when CSR continues to build momentum, developing additional collaborative partners and planning the future move of 3463 out of its current location.

The article, complete with a before/after shot of the cosmetic stabilization of 3463, outlines how CSR Project 130 will progress, offering a bit of themed support at the end... 

Be sure to pick up your copy of the magazine today to read all about it! 

CSR Project 130 Chugs Ahead

Project 130 is picking up steam! The plan announced last month to turn a 1937 locomotive into proof-of-concept for a promising carbon-neutral energy source has been nominated for the 2012 Katerva Award, considered the "Nobel Prize" of sustainability.

The project is the brainchild of the Coalition for Sustainable Rail, a collaboration of Sustainable Rail International and the University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment. Its goal is to renovate the aging engine and run it at 130 mph - a world speed record for a steam locomotive - using torrefied biomass, a carbon-neutral fuel developed by the University's Natural Resources Research Institute. CSR president Davidson Ward says efforts to create the world's first carbon-neutral higher-speed steam locomotive aim to draw attention to the promise of torrefied biomass not only as a sustainable transportation fuel, but also as a potential source of carbon-neutral, renewable combined heat and power in developing countries.

The Katerva Award recognizes and rewards "paradigm-busting ideas" that create change toward a more sustainable world. Last year's grand prize went to Sanergy, an initiative working to build sustainable sanitation centers in Kenya. Project 130 is among some 300+ projects worldwide nominated for this year's award. After selection by an international team of judges, category winners and a grand prize winner will be announced in December.

Text courtesy of Mary Hoff and the "Eye on Earth" blog at the U of M's Institute on the Environment.

CSR Project 130 Featured in Frailey Article

CSR Project 130 was the subject of rail columnist Fred Frailey's July, 2012 Trains Magazine column.  The story goes into detail about the formation of CSR, our work with the U of M, the plan to test with locomotive 3463 and where the organization plans to head with steam locomotive technology.

Be sure to pick up a copy today!

Proof is in the Picture

These shots before and after CSR's cosmetic restoration and stabilization of locomotive 3463 communicate the importance of properly maintaining rail equipment, both from the perspective of preserving the rolling stock to improving the value it has in the community. To CSR, the cosmetic restoration will ensure no further degradation occurs to the locomotive prior to its move to Minneapolis for reconstruction.