Vegetable oil-fuelled Class 66 hauls steel train

UK: DB Cargo UK has tested the use of hydro-treated vegetable oil to fuel an Electro-Motive Diesel Class 66 locomotive.

Loco 66 150 hauled a consignment of long-welded rail from British Steel’s Scunthorpe site to Network Rail’s depot at Eastleigh in Hampshire on December 16.

DB Cargo UK estimates that replacing diesel with 100% renewable HVO can reduce a train’s carbon emissions by as much as 90%, and said the operation of the train was a major step forward in proving that HVO made through the hydro-treatment of vegetable oils or animal fats is a viable alternative to diesel.

The trial train follows successful load bank tests with a Class 67 locomotive. Further live tests with Class 67 and 60 locomotives are planned.

Neil Welch, Supply Chain Operations Business Manager for Network Rail, said ‘we are keen to understand all of the alternative technologies available in the marketplace that will significantly reduce carbon emissions. We will continue to engage with our supply chain on the options available.’

DB Cargo UK’s Head of Sales Roger Neary said ‘rail freight is already a much greener alternative to road haulage, so to reduce our carbon footprint even further will, I hope, make businesses re-evaluate their own transport strategies. If they want to reduce their own carbon emissions, then rail freight is the obvious choice over road.’