OptiFuel Systems, LLC (OptiFuel), a South Carolina-based developer of dual-fuel natural gas high horsepower solutions, has shipped American designed and manufactured locomotive engine systems utilizing diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG) to Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad (IHB) for integration into the first two of thirty-one CNG Tier 4 switcher locomotives for IHB’s CNG Repower Program. The dual-fuel natural gas system includes OptiFuel-designed on-board CNG storage units and a trackside CNG refueling station manufactured by ANGI Energy Systems. Read more »
CARB Appeals to US EPA to Limit Locomotive Emissions
California Air Resources Board (CARB) chair Mary D. Nichols requested the U.S. EPA (April 14) take action to adopt more stringent emission standards for locomotives, saying that the move is needed to clean up the air in “high-risk” communities in and around the nation’s railyards. In the USA and elsewhere, trials are being conducted of dual-fuel locomotives using diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG), and the push by CARB may further stimulate investment. Read more »
A Compelling Future for LNG Discussed at NGV Global 2017
Peter Keller discusses marine LNG’s progress and potential at NGV Global 2017.
Peter Keller, chairman of SEA\LNG, a multi-sector industry coalition created to accelerate the widespread adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel and currently an Executive VP of TOTE, addressed the Opening Plenary of NGV Global 2017 on the very positive and unfolding role of LNG in the maritime sector. Read more »
Spanish LNG-for-Trains Project Approaches Testing Phase
Renfe (Spain’s national rail network), Gas Natural Fenosa and Enagás, in collaboration with Institut Cerdà (a private engineering innovator in Barcelona), ARMF (a specialised railways restoration workshop) and classification society Bureau Veritas are preparing first traction tests in Europe of a train powered by liquefied natural gas. It may also be the first in the world to test LNG on a passenger train. Read more »
Indonesia Explores LNG for Rail
Indonesia’s oil and gas corporation PT Pertamina (Persero) and railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), both state-owned, are testing Liquefied Natural gas (LNG) as a fuel for rail transportation. Static and dynamic tests have been carried out at Balai Yasa, the rail services yard in Yogyakarta. Activities that are part of the rail conversion program from high speed diesel (HSD) to liquefied natural gas (LNG) are said to be the first in Southeast Asia. Read more »
North American JV Pursues CNG as Future Fuel for Rail
North-American based Hexagon Lincoln (Hexagon), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hexagon Composites, has undertaken a new direction with entry into rail. Hexagon is collaborating with Allegheny Creative Energy Solutions LLC (ACES) and Resonance Mode, Inc in a joint venture that will call on the partners to develop and manufacture compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel solutions for the rail industry. Read more »
Russia to Implement Gas-Powered Shunting and Mainline Locomotives
An Agreement of Cooperation signed last week at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum by Gazprom, Russian Railways, and domestic machine builders Sinara Group and Transmashholding (TMH) signals a new phase of development for the wider use of natural gas to fuel locomotives in Russia. The agreement provides for the consolidation of companies’ efforts to introduce the use of natural gas as a motor fuel for railway rolling stock. Read more »
Tenders Under Consideration CNG Locomotive Conversions
Two SW1500 locomotives will be converted to dual-fuel CNG in the first phase.
Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Company (IHB) recently leased two SW1500 locomotives from CIT Rail to kick-start it’s locomotive conversion program to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The SW1500 locomotive’s small wheel base makes it a suitable choice for yard operation and local switching where tight curves and switches are the norm. Following the issuing of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for “CNG Locomotive Repower” issued Feb 25 2016 , IHB is now evaluating submissions in preparation for conversion of up to 31 locomotives. Read more »
Another CNG DEMU Hits the Rails in India
Indian Railways Organisation for Alternate Fuels (IROAF) has followed up the launch of Compressed Natural Gas dual-fuel rakes (a coupled group of coaches) in January this year with another CNG DEMU rake that will operate between Shamli and Delhi. This service has been inaugurated by Hon’ble Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha on 7th July 2015 at Shamli station. Read more »
Skangass Signs VTG to Supply LNG Wagons
VTG Aktiengesellschaft, one of Europe’s leading wagon hire and rail logistics companies, signed the first hire contract with the option to order LNG rail tank wagons with the Nordic company Skangass AS at the ‘Transport Logistic’ fair in Munich. Skangass is a supplier of liquefied natural gas for bunkering, including fuel for Fjord Line’s LNG passenger ferries MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord. Read more »
