First LNG freight locomotive
Estonian state-owned rail company Operail is building its first LNG freight locomotive. Construction work on the locomotive, which saves 30% on fuel costs and emits 20% less carbon dioxide and 70% less sulphur dioxide, started a few days ago, after the supply difficulties caused by the coronavirus crisis had been overcome.
During the reconstruction process, the locomotive will be equipped with the necessary LNG systems. The existing fuel tank, which can hold almost 18,000 litres of diesel, will be divided into three sections for storing LNG: diesel tanks at the edges and LNG tanks in the middle.
This means that the converted General Electric C36 locomotive can run both on diesel and LNG fuel in parallel, or be powered by diesel alone if LNG runs out. (ben)