High-end trains to run on CNG - Airliners-India

karatecatman · Member

High-end trains to run on CNG

Aseem · Member

a very good step considering the amount of smoke Diesel locomotives emit. Then again as the article itself points out, the cost of making the CNG available at distant locations cannot be ignored.

Moreover, I have a question. They are talking of Diesel and CNG combined. How does that work??

rgds

VT-ASJ

the_380 · Member

Wont that affect the train's speeds?

In that case Rajdhani will be kachuadani (tortise)

-- Edited by the_380 at 21:58, 2006-07-29

HAWK21M · Member

Where will the Cylinder be located.What Capacity.

regds

MEL

D-ABTH · Member

the "cylinder" or rather a tank/reservoir will be attached as a separate unit i think.... thats what i read a long time back when there was an article that first came out with the news...

much like the old days of steam locos with the separate coal unit

-- Edited by DABTH at 09:21, 2006-07-31

Aseem · Member

from my limited knowledge of railways loco in India, i dont' think there is much space to attach a reasonably big cylinder nor the chassis of existing locos can be stretched to create space.

Maybe other members of IRFCA on this forum be able to provide greater insight.

rgds

VT-ASJ

Akshay · Member

Aseem wrote:

from my limited knowledge of railways loco in India, i dont' think there is much space to attach a reasonably big cylinder nor the chassis of existing locos can be stretched to create space.

I agree. Also, i have heard of engines overheating in case of mumbai's cabs which run on CNG. I wonder whether this problem will be faced by locos

Akshay

HAWK21M · Member

In the current situation.What about Security of the Unit.

regds

MEL

vivekman · Member

Mr RM Gupta is an over-optimist at best! Running CNG buses and autos is one thing but running high speed trains on CNG is a totally outrageous concept! Why would one want to run a CNG powered locomotive when the entire Mumbai-Delhi route is electrified?? Wouldn't that mean a collossal waste of the available resource? Besides, it has been proved time and again that electric traction offers a higher power to weight ratio as compared to others.

For example, the Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani is currently hauled by a 5400HP "WAP-5" high-speed electric locomotive. This tiny lightweight loco easily hauls the 17/18 coach Rajdhani at a top speed of 130kmph. The same WAP-5 loco hauls the Bhopal Shatabdi at 150kmph and has a maximum permissible speed of 160kmph!! Apart from the high speed, the acceleration is phenomenal leading to quicker clearance of track sections.

A diesel locomotive on the other hand has a relatively slower acceleration and is heavier thereby causing more wear on the tracks. Although India has a 160kmph capable diesel loco (WDP-4), tests have proved that the sheer weight of the loco causes massive wear and tear on the tracks. Besides, it is not known whether such locomotives can be suitably modified to run on CNG. Also, the availability of CNG at enroute stations is not that easy, so refuelling will be a problem too!

The best option would be to modify and run the DMUs (Diesel Multiple Units) on CNG. The DMUs are diesel powered local trains and run for short distances ~ 100kms. For such units, speed is not a major issue and due to their limited range, refuelling will also not be a problem.

And yes, the problem of over-heating exists with CNG powered vehicles. This is because of the relatively higher temperatures at which CNG burns as compared to diesel or even LPG!.