California Northern Railroad Company (CFNR), a short line railroad providing clean, alternative transportation of agricultural, food and construction products over 260 miles of track in the Sacramento Valley, today announced that is has been honored by Breathe California, an organization dedicated to fighting lung disease and advocating for clean air, with the 2011 Clean Air Champion Business Award. CFNR was recognized for being an industry model by reducing emission and noise along their short line railroad routes.

'CFNR is blazing the trail to 'get smart' and operate energy efficient locomotives,' said Kori Titus, Chief Executive Officer of Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails. 'This railroad's technological breakthroughs have significantly improved the air of our surrounding communities.

CFNR's entire fleet has been converted to be more environmentally friendly with the addition of six (6) GenSet locomotives. These ultra low-emitting, low-noise locomotives have helped to reduce emissions by 80% and are expected to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%. This equals a reduction of up to 860 tons of emissions for each locomotive over 20 years. The railroad has also earned an impressive Tier 3 non-road emission standard by the EPA.

'On behalf employees of CFNR, I thank Breathe California for this honor,' said Don Seil, who was CFNR General Manager and is now Regional Vice President of RailAmerica's Southeast Region. 'We are hopeful that this investment will lead the way in setting an example for other railroads to follow in California and across North America.'