ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - A new development in railroad technology could help protect hundred of jobs in Blair County. Norfolk Southern rolled out its newest green locomotive on Monday at its Juniata Shops in Blair County.

 A big crowd of railroad workers and experts gathered for what supporters said  was an equipment roll out with national significance. The New Norfolk Southern Locomotive Number 999 used battery power to roll into the paint shop holding room of the Norfolk Southern Altoona shops.

The green and black locomotive is the first all electric locomotive of its type. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, was on hand to call attention to the environmental and economic benefits of this project. This new generation of battery operated locomotives was designed and built here in Altoona. While the project did require extra financial support from Washington, supporters say this was this was the right place to do the work.

 While no additional rail jobs are expected to immediately follow this move into battery operated equipment, being on the cutting edge of new technology should mean good things for the future of both the Juniata Shops and the 900 people that work there. The new generation of more than 1,000 12-volt batteries that power the locomotive were developed with the help of Penn State Researchers.