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.
I hope the Russian engineers don't read about the collision in New York with a natural gas driven truck on the tracks.
If the US s the largest producer of natural gas in h world as claimed by the petroleum industry, where is the US in the technological development of such an engine?
I appreciate what everybody is saying. Getting the work done is first and foremost above all other considerations, but, gee whiz, can't it look better than that? Come on.
A face only a (Russian) mother could love!
The builder's newsletter (p 12 at http://www.tmholding.ru/journal/Transmashholding01_2014_eng_site.pdf) indicates liquified natural gas (LNG) as the fuel, not compressed. It also appears to be about 1200 hp, with DC traction. I assume the under frame tank carries diesel fuel for the necessary combustion initiation. Hope to see further reports of this unit's performance.
What struck when seeing that engine were the many drop-dead hilarious African-American urban humor, urban I think, comedy routines with remarks exchanged each of which started with "your mother is so ugly that"…. or Yo' mama is so……
Those routines incredibly satisfy my opinion of that engine's esthetic value.
WJA
YES, Yes, yes,
We've got to keep that thought,
In Korea, our F-86's, a great looking fighter, fought what I thought was a a good-looking fighter, the Russian MIG-15.
Were its design elements an accident happening to the USSR?
The thing with the Russians is, and always was, it doesn't have to look good, it has to WORK.
Look at the T-34 tank, the AK-47, the Moisin-Nagant rifles and pistols, even some of their aircraft. They'd never win a beauty contest but the things work al right!
Not the best looking locomotive is it. I hope the Russians get an industrial designer to look at this thing and maybe give it some more pleasing lines? Oh well.