TALLINN, Feb 04, BNS – Estonian state-owned rail transport and logistics company Operail started work on the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) freight locomotive this week.

"At the end of 2019, we hoped that we would be able to bring the first pilot locomotive to the tracks in 2020, but unfortunately, the emergency situation caused by the coronavirus in Estonia and elsewhere in Europe changed our plans," Raul Toomsalu, chairman of Operail’s management board, said.

According to the new schedule, the construction of the first LNG freight locomotive should be completed in spring. The locomotive will then go through a certification process and be ready for regular service after the approvals of Estonian Railways and the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority.

The LNG freight locomotive is built on the basis of the American General Electric C36 locomotive, which is currently in service. Operail is investing around 250,000 euros in the reconstruction of the first locomotive. "Our goal is to analyze the results after the test period and decide on how many locomotives of the same type to rebuild. In total, we have 30 C36 locomotives in service, and the construction costs of the next locomotives will certainly be lower," Toomsalu said.

"There is no doubt that safety is very important in this project, and the LNG systems are equipped with both electrical, mechanical and manual valves that activate in the event of leaks and temperature changes. The LNG tank also immediately releases all the gas through a separate exhaust pipe should the system record any significant deviation from normal conditions," he added.

During the reconstruction process, the locomotive will be equipped with the necessary LNG systems. The existing fuel tank, which can hold almost 18,000 liters 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 locomotive can run both on diesel and LNG fuel in parallel and is able to run on diesel if LNG runs out.

According to Operail, the LNG freight locomotive will save 30 percent on fuel costs and emit 20 percent less carbon dioxide and 70 percent less sulphur dioxide.

Operail is an Estonian state-owned railway company with the main lines of business including freight transport, repair and construction of locomotives and wagons, and rolling stock rental. The company employs almost 600 people. In addition to the parent company, the Operail group also includes the wagon rental companies AS Operail Leasing and Operail Leasing Finland Oy and the Finnish railway transport company Operail Finland Oy. 

Tallinn newsroom, +372 505 3628, majandus@bns.ee

Baltic News Service