Spanish LNG terminal operator Reganosa, said that it has dispatched a truckload of liquefied natural gas from its Mugardos terminal in the port of Ferrol.
The LNG cargo was delivered to Asturias where Spanish companies Renfe, Gas Natural Fenosa and Enagás will be running the first European pilot test of an LNG-fueled locomotive.
The project, carried out in cooperation with Institut Cerdà, ARMF and Bureau Veritas, is also the first in the world for passenger rail transport, according to an earlier statement by Enagás.
The pilot tests is assessing the feasibility of adapting locomotives to run with LNG engines and tanks and the relevant technical, legal, economic and environmental analysis for the Spanish and European rail network.
The pilot test involves running an LNG-fueled engine on a locomotive from the Feve diesel train depot (2600) along a 20 km section between Trubia and Baiña stations, extending to Figaredo, in Asturias.
For this purpose, the diesel engine on one of the two paired locomotive units has been replaced with one powered by natural gas, and tanks for storing LNG have been fitted, alongside other necessary auxiliary equipment.
Reganosa added in its statement that it will deliver cargoes via trucks on a weekly basis to fuel the locomotive.