The Potential for LNG as a Railroad Fuel in the U.S.

Abstract

Freight railroad operations in the United States represent a substantial opportunity for liquified natural gas (LNG) to displace diesel fuel. With the promise of achieving an overwhelming economic advantage over diesel fuel, this paper presents some discussion to the question, “Why is the application of LNG for railroad use in the U.S. moving so slowly?” A brief overview of the freight railroad operations in the U.S. is given, along with a summary of several railroad LNG demonstration projects. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board exhaust emission regulations may cause the railroad industry to move from small-scale LNG demonstration projects to using LNG as a primary freight railroad transportation fuel in selected regions or route-specific applications. [S0742-4795(00)01901-3]