The Class TEM19 locomotive, built by Russian firm Transmashholding — part owned by French company Alstom — has been operating as a yard switcher in tests near Yekaterinburg in central Russia for over a year. The locomotive was built at Transmashholding’s Bryansk Engineering Plant in western Russia in 2012-13.
Russia has large reserves of natural gas, making the fuel a potentially very attractive proposition. Transmasholding says CNG is potentially 20 percent cheaper than diesel fuel.
The TEM19 is one of several prototype locomotives built in Russia in recent years. Others have used the denser liquefied natural gas, which allows the engine to carry more fuel.
RZD has previously ordered up to 40 new twin unit gas-turbine electric locomotives powered by LNG; a pre-production type GT1h loco numbered GT1h 001 built by Russian loco builder Sinara started tests in 2013 and 39 further locos are planned. The new 63-mph locos are designed for use on heavy freight trains such as coal and iron ore to replace older diesels. A second prototype of the GT1h reused frames of two TEM7A heavy switchers for a two-section, 16-axle locomotive. The prototype was displayed at a trade show in 2013 but no additional versions have been ordered.
