Though this ban on older diesel-semis doesn’t apply specifically to diesel locos, stricter regulations in California on emissions are a big reason why railroads are rebuilding older switchers with lower-emission prime movers or even into gensets.
http://www.environmentalleader.com/2010/01/25/oakland-port-bans-aging-emissions-belching-trucks/
That is why MORE AND MORE Drivers buy a 80 dollar Laminated Atlas and RIP COMMIEFORNIA OUT OF IT. Lets see here there is one state left with a 55 MPH speed limit Guess who COMMIEFORNIA and they enforce it also. They also have some of the worst ANTI-TRUCK REGS IN THE NATION. It can be 120 outside and you can not run your truck to have AC to sleep but yet a DOG HAS MORE RIGHTS THAN A MAN DOES IN THAT STATE.
I can go on but I would not want to get this thread locked. This state wonders why they are 56 Billion in the HOLE and yet are still pouring water into a bucket with no bottom. Or in RR terms they are going DOWN SALUDA with 15K tons with no BRAKES AND ALL THE CARGO IS CHORLINE GAS AND AT THE BOTTOM IS THE NATIONAL BOY SCOUT JAMBOREE. WITH A DERAIL SET TO THROW THEM INTO A WEDGE PLOW.
If you only saw what shows up at the ramps in the LA basin, you would also know what scares the begeebers out of folks, especially when CHP isn’t around to catch them going in and out of the intermodal terminals.