The Action aims to study from a technical, economic and environmental point of view, the needs and the performances of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure as a new energy source in rail traction. It is embedded in the Spanish national strategy to promote vehicles with alternative energy (2014-2020).

The Actions includes the design and the engineering of a mobile LNG fuelling infrastructures and the retrofitting of an LNG powered locomotive. Pilot trials for at least 15,000 km will be carried out simulating real operational conditions to compare the performances of a LNG-powered locomotive and the performance a diesel-powered locomotive on fully comparable conditions. Based on data collected from the trials, a series of feasibility studies will be carried out. These studies will cover all the issues related to full deployment of LNG as alternative fuel in railway such as technical requirements, environmental and economic impact, logistic, regulatory and legal aspects.

The Action is expected to facilitate the large-scale deployment of LNG technology in the railway sector. The Action will also deliver a its implication for the business model and a roll out plan for the LNG implementation in the Spanish rail network.