Peru Puts First CNG-Powered Locomotive into Service
17 June 2005
Reuters. Peru’s Ferrocarril Central Andino (FCCA) officially unveiled what it calls the world’s first CNG-powered train on Thursday.
The cargo and passenger train, which runs along the world’s highest railway at 16,076 feet (4,900 meters) above sea level in Peru’s central Andes, will switch from diesel to run on two CNG engines designed by General Electric.
Ferrocarril Central Andino, 82% owned by Peruvian capital and 18% owned by US-based Railroad Development Corp. (RDC), has operated the line between Lima and the central Huancayo region since 1999. The company says it plans to convert all eight engines in its fleet to CNG from diesel in the next seven months.
The engines, which had been under test for some time and as described in Latin Tracks in 2004 are dual-fuel capable, with diesel as a backup for certain sections when the trains are working upgrade. A slug unit will carry the CNG tanks.
According to the EIA, Peru has proven natural gas reserves of 8.7 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), the fourth-largest amount in South America. The giant Camisea gasfield started production in August 2004, and Peru hopes to become a net energy exporter with gas sales to mexico form 2009.
GE, as part of its ecomagination campaign (earlier post), is working on a number of rail enhancements, including a diesel-electric hybrid locomotive.
(A hat-tip to Joe K.!)
not the first. Burlington Northern or Burlington Norther Sante Fe Railroad in the US tested LPG or CNG locomotives several years ago.
Union Pacific and Burlington Northern tested a LPG or CNG switch engines with 3 being in service in the Los Angles area (Los Angles Terminal RR?) for several years, two more have been recently added.
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Posted by: David | 07 April 2006 at 06:57 AM
We are reputed railway consultants in India. We would like to know more about Railway engines of about 3500 to 4000 hp using CNG for locomotive application.
Thanks
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Posted by: R.H.Chowdhury | 07 November 2007 at 08:25 PM
i would like to know the horse power achieved by using CNG as a fuel for diesel locos.one doubt is that like in cars CNG usage can cause low acceleration of the diesel locos also? if so, it is not useful for running fast passenger trains.waiting for your reply
Nitin Mehrotra
Divisional Mechanical Engineer
Burdwan Diesel Loco Shed
EASTERN RAILWAY.
BURDWAN.West Bengal.
INDIA
Posted by: NITIN MEHROTRA | 04 December 2007 at 02:59 AM
These are the folks who did the BNSF conversion:
http://www.energyconversions.com/pubs.htm#sourcebook
They also offer commercial conversions for a variety of diesels to CNG / diesel bifuel.
Of course, there is also GE as listed in the original article as a provider of completed train engines.
Posted by: E. M. Smith | 20 December 2007 at 02:53 PM
Oh, and power output with their conversion is unchanged. You get full power. They do low pressure CNG injection after the valves have closed, so no loss of power. Fumigation of CNG into the air intake ahead of the valves displaces some air, so you get get a minor reduction in power with fumigation systems. Use of injection (high or low pressure) preserves full power and reduces CO and HC emissions.
And of course if you shut off the CNG, you get 100% power on straight diesel oil too.
Posted by: E.M.Smith | 20 December 2007 at 02:59 PM
We are reputed CNG consultants in Egypt. We would like to know more about Railway engines of about 3000 to 4000 hp using CNG for locomotive application.
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