A Russian prototype hybrid locomotive, powered by liquefied natural gas turbine, has completed a series of tests on the Surgut – Korotchaevo line in western Siberia, hauling a freight train weighing 9,000 tons.
Tests were carried out to determine the locations where gas supply would be required, but the 8.3 MW locomotive hauled the first 7,000-ton train on the 636-kilometer route, without having to refuel.
A few days later, tests were resumed on the Surgut – Limbey route, 532 kilometers long, and here the locomotive proved to be able to haul 9,000 tonnes, as well, without stopping for refueling.
However, Russian Railways (RZD) specified that three refuelling points are needed to support a regular service along the Surgut – Korotchaevo route. For the time being, the only point of supply for the liquefied natural gas locomotive is in Yekaterinburg.
The GT1h-002 locomotive, capable of running at 100 km/h, was built by Russian company Sinara at its Lyudinovsky Diesel Locomotive Plant. It is a product derived from the prototype of the locomotive GT1h-001, which was bought in 2007 from Voronezh loocmotive plant.
In February 2018, RZD signed an agreement with Gazprom, Sinara Group and Transmashholding, for the cooperation to develop traction units with LNG power supply and also the required infrastructure in order to haul freight trains of 9,000 tons, on electrified sections in Sverdlovsk region.
RZD says that by 2023 it wants to increase the gas-fueled locomotive fleet, from three units, currently, to 22 units. Gazprom will build plats for the production of locomotives as well as gas supply facilities at Tobolsk and Surgut. On the other hand, RZD will set up maintenance and supply units in Surgut and Voinovka.
Between 2020 and 2022, RZD plans to start commercial operation of 9,000-ton freight trains hauled by gas-fueled locomotives on the 222 kilometers Voinovka-Tobolsk section. In addition, LNG powered shunting locomotives will also be introduced into the depots at Egorshino, Voinovka and Tobolsk.
Also, RZD stated that its locomotive prototype complies with the Level V emission standard required by the European Union.
This project may lead us to the idea that RZD or its partners might intend to introduce the new locomotive on the European market. For now, there is only a supposition, because a clear statement in this regard has not yet been made.
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