(Oklahoma City, OK) - Years ago beef tallow could have been used to grease wheels now Amtrak is using the stuff to power them.  The Heartland Flyer will use a bovine based biodiesel as a fuel for the next year in its run between Oklahoma City and Ft. Worth.

The fuel is 20 percent derived from beef fat with the remaining 80 percent coming from petroleum.  The biodiesel comes from a Texas manufacturer.

The project is being funded with a grant from the Federal Railroad Administration.  It's hoped the blend will result in fewer pollutants in the engine's exhaust.

Once the year is up, the locomotive's engines will be taken apart and examined for any damage.