India launches its first LNG-powered train

India’s Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off the country’s first LNG-powered, or Liquefied Natural Gas-powered, train from Sabarmati Station in Gujarat on Sunday. Under the initiative, two 1,400-horsepower Driving Power Cars at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot have been converted into diesel-LNG dual-fuel systems, with LNG replacing nearly 40 percent of diesel consumption.

The dual-fuel technology allows the same engine to run on both LNG and diesel, depending on fuel availability. The initiative is expected to reduce fuel costs and dependency on diesel, while lowering emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.