 |
| World first biogas train hits the tracks in Sweden |
Rail trains powered by compressed natural gas
(CNG) and biogas are opening new markets for the NGV industry, with
trains being launched on three different continents in the space of two
months, two of them in the past week.
While the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for rail locomotives is not uncommon,
CNG for rail has, until now, been quite rare. Another new
development is the use of biogas, with Sweden once again leading the
charge.
India Railways commenced trials of their first CNG
train in April, launching a dual-fuel CNG diesel locomotive on a line
between Delhi and Rewari. Conversions to dual fuel operation are
believed to have been conducted by German company Deutsche Bahn AG.
Initial trials of the engine were reported to have resulted in a 50:50
CNG/diesel use ratio.
Meanwhile in Peru last week, operator of the world’s highest railway
(16,000 ft), Ferrocarril Central Andino, launched their first CNG
train, operating on two dual-fuel CNG/diesel engines supplied by General Electric.
The train has a 400 km range on CNG. Ferrocarril Central Andino has a total of eight locomotives which it
intends converting to dual-fuel operation over the next seven months.
Sweden’s Svensk Biogas has this week inaugurated a world first biogas
train, ahead of commencing commercial operations with the train in
September. The train operates on two biogas Volvo bus engines,
replacing two diesel engines, and will operate an 80 km (50 mile) east
coast route between Linkoeping and Vaestervik. The train has a top
speed of 130km/h (80mph) and can travel 600km (372 miles) before it
needs to refuel. Svensk Biogas has disclosed that 10 million kronor
(1.08m euros; $1.3m) was spent on development.
The train joins almost 780 biogas buses and thousands of biogas cars
already on Sweden’s roads. Biogas vehicles recently topped the
Swedish Green Motorist Association list of environmentally friendly
vehicles – see report.
Current news items can be found on the NGV Global Home Page. Items from past issues can be found via the Article Index page.
PDF 
