The project is being supported by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and Grand Central is working with in partnership with G-Volution, a British firm which has developed a patented dual-fuel technology for transport applications.
The trial builds on a 2016 RSSB-funded feasibility study, which concluded 30% savings in fuel costs could be achieved through the use of dual-fuel technologies in rail. This study is being expanded through additional modelling and analysis to include all types of diesel train on different lines in Britain. The development of Dual Fuel Multiple Unit (DFMU) is being used to validate the model outputs.
The DFMU project involves modifying one vehicle in a five-car class 180 set to operate in dual-fuel mode. The DFMU is due to begin operating by the end of the year.
