Gas-run locomotives to hit the tracks by 2017

Railways set to switch from diesel to LNG-based locos

The Indian Railways is finally in for an ‘evolutionary change’, leaving diesel locomotives behind and stepping into the era of gas-based-locomotives.

Change is a par t of the joint collaboration of Research Design and Standard Organisation (RDSO), the most trusted technical advisor to the railways and Indian Railways Organisation for Alter nate Fuels (IROAF), that is all set to convert the fleet of some 70 diesel-based-locomotives into liquefied natural gas (LNG)based locomotives by 2017.

Of the total target, two diesel locomotives of DEMU (diesel electrical multiple unit) model got just transformed (into LNG) a couple of weeks back. “We got it done at Cummins in Pune with the help of the team of RDSO’s Engine Development Directorate and IROAF,” said a source with RDSO.

Both the units were sent to Shakurbasti diesel shed in New Delhi.

Sources said the transformation was initiated after the successful transformation of DEMU, which RDSO’s engine development department got converted three years ago. “On finding the first transformation successful, that of the other two locomotives was also initiated,” said a source.

The first successful transfor mation was conducted at Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, the premier production unit of Indian Railways.

Officials with RDSO said since the world was looking towards gases as the future fuel, which was also environment-friendly and cost-effective, they pitched into the LNG project. “We initially launched it in 2008. In 2012, we finally succeeded in converting a diesel engine into an LNG -based engine,” an official said.

This was the first gas-based locomotive of the country.

Officials said the engine was converted using fumigation technology, which was also the first generation technology in terms of gas-run engines. “In this, gas is injected in such a manner that it produces around 25% energy while the remaining 75% energy is of the diesel fuel,” the official said.

RDSO have got the order of converting another 10 locomotives into the first generation technique.

The officials said import injection was second generation technique and direct injection was the third generation and the most advanced. With this, the country would join the select club of countries like Russia that are successful running gas-based locomotives.

Officials confir med that the board had sanctioned the transformation of 40 diesel engines into second generation and 20 engines into third generation engines. “The work has been already sanctioned by the board. All together, there would be 10 first, 40 second and 20 third generation engines in the days to come,” an official said.

“Our directorate is working on the gas-based engines since the past few years. It has also transformed the DEMU successfully into gas-based engine. It will not only be cost-effective but environment-friendly too,” said AK Mathur, executive director administration and public relation, RDSO.