Press Releases

Gas dispersion and dielectric strength tests

(08/02/2021)

  • In the first weeks of June, the Anes Tunnel in Siero (Asturias) hosted the Gas Dispersion and Dielectric Stiffness tests of the pioneering worldwide project, RailNG, a study on the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source for railways. The first results show a positive balance. 
  • The facilities of the Barredo Foundation (Government of the Principality of Asturias) in Anes were the test bench chosen for these tests. This is a full-fledged laboratory, where real-time tests were carried out, as close as possible to the immediate future of hydrogen as an energy source for railroads. See more

RaiLNG: An alternative to sustainable and viable short-term land transport

(05/11/2019)

  • The project analyses the real feasibility of using LNG in heavy rail traction
  • It seeks to identify the technical, normative and regulatory adaptations needed to develop its commercialization in the short/medium term. See more

Communication pieces

Below, you will find the communication pieces of the project that you can download:

RaiLNG project diptych

Media News

– RaiLNG Project

At this time there is no article in the press available about the RaiLNG project.

– Railway LNG Project (Series 2600)

Renfe Commences LNG Passenger Train Trials in Spain

January 9, 2018 | Spain, Madrid

The first traction tests in Europe of a train powered by liquefied natural gas are underway in Spain. The tests, conducted on the line between Mieres and Figaredo, will analyze the potential environmental and economic advantages that natural gas can provide in rail transport using non-electrified lines. in atendance for the launch were Spain’s Minister of Development, Íñigo de la Serna, and Minister of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda, Álvaro Nadal. See more.

Powering the trains of tomorrow

26 JANUARY 2017

While diesel still plays a major part on many routes in many countries, rail is experimenting with new forms of power, including hydrogen fuel cells and batteries, while making old, dirty locomotives more efficient.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is being used in the rail industry as an option for dual-fuel locomotives. In July, Russian Railways, Gazprom, Transmashholding and Sinara Group signed an agreement to develop the necessary infrastructure to support the use of LNG to power locomotives.

Russia was also in the headlines back in 2015, when it unveiled what it called the world’s first LNG-generated locomotive, the TEM19.

Also late last year, Spanish operator RENFE announced it was to replace a diesel engine in a Class 2600 DMU with a LNG equivalent, and test it against a diesel version in the same locomotive. The LNG DMU will run on a 20km section of track in northern Spain. See more.

– CEF program of European aid

Proposal to renew Connecting Europe Facility with €42,3 billion

7 June 2018

As part of the next long-term European budget for the period 2021-2027, the European Commission (EC) proposed to renew the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) with €42,3 billion. With this budget the EC supports investments in the European infrastructure networks for transport (€ 30,6 billion), energy (€ 8,7 billion) and telecom (€ 3 billion). See more.

CEF – Connecting Europe Facility – the new EU funding instrument for the trans-European transport network

The Union Guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T)[1], defining a new transport infrastructure policy, and the Connecting Europe Facility[2], providing a new philosophy for infrastructure investments, have been adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU in December 2013.

This legislative package reviewed substantially the TEN-T policy and placed the emphasis on high European added value connections, which will allow for the realisation of a real integrated trans-European transport network. With the budget of the Connecting Europe Facility, more than €26 billion will be dedicated to the financing of projects of high EU interest, such as cross-border connections and bottlenecks on the main corridors along the TEN-T, in particular for railways and inland waterways. See more.

Connecting Europe Facility – Results of the 2015 transport calls for proposals

Friday, June 17 2016

How much funding is available under the 2015 CEF Transport calls for proposals?

Under the 2015 CEF Transport calls for proposals, almost €7.6 billion is available to improve European transport infrastructure, promote innovation and new technologies, develop intelligent transport systems and mitigate the safety and environmental impact of the sector. Out of the total amount available, €1.09 billion is earmarked for projects in all Member States, while €6.5 billion is foreseen exclusively for projects in Member States eligible for funding from the EU’s Cohesion Fund. See more.

Connecting Europe Facility 2021-2027: Financing Key EU Infrastructure Networks [EU Legislation In Progress]

October 8, 2018

Strong, modern, and reliable infrastructure is essential to secure jobs, growth and competitiveness in the European Union. Given this need, the EU supports the development of high-performing, sustainable and interconnected trans-European networks in three areas: transport, energy and digital infrastructure See more.

– Railways in Russia

Russian Railways – propelling LNG into the rail mainstream?

23 FEBRUARY 2015

By Daniel Garrun

Liquefied natural gas is gaining traction as an alternative rail propulsion system, and Russian Railways has conducted a series of tests into how its railroads may reap the benefits of this new technology. With Russia home to massive natural gas reserves, is it ready to propel LNG into the rail mainstream? See more.

– TEM19

Introducing TEM19

03/2014

One of last year’s highlights at Transmashholding was the unveiling of Russia’s (and the world’s) FIRST INNOVATIVE TEM19 SHUNTING LOCOMOTIVE FIRED BY LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS. Se more.