ALPEN GUIDES SNOWCOACHES - cleanest operating in Yellowstone
Two comprehensive studies measuring winter vehicle emissions in Yellowstone found Yellowstone Alpen Guides’ snowcoaches are the cleanest snowcoaches operating in the Park. The studies conducted in 2005 and 2006 by the University of Denver Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Gary Bishop et al, January 2007, measured a broad range of real-time emissons during actual snowcoach travel between West Yellowstone and Old Faithful. These classic historic Bombardiers are not only the oldest vehicles operating in Yellowstone but also the cleanest.
Excerpted from the report:
Discussion
Two immediate observations about this year’s data set that can be made are that the overall fleet is newer than last years fleet and overall emissions are lower (see Table 2). …The one coach from the 2005 data set that was driven over this year’s route was a vintage Bombardier that has been upgraded with a modern port fuel injected engine. Though we tested different vehicles in the two years, these vehicles had the lowest overall emissions in each year’s data set. *** …
*** 2004 Yellowstone Alpen Guides Snowcoach DeLacy (year 1981)
2006 Yellowstone Alpen Guides Snowcoach Cygnet (year 1951)
Scott Carsley, owner of Yellowstone Alpen Guides attributes this success to head mechanic Don Perry and his ability to retrofit his machines with recycled modern Chevy Vortec engines. Don came up with the idea and made it work. “We get complete engines from wrecked vehicles and squeeze them into our existing engine compartments. No small feat” says Carsley.
You may see the entire report online at: https://www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/upload/YNP_2006_snowcoach_snowmobile_study.pdf
Excerpted from:
Portable Emission Measurements of
Snowcoaches and Snowmobiles in
Yellowstone National Park
