BNSF LNG Engines

  BN tried this a number of years ago with two modified SD40-2 engines and a huge insulated thermos bottle(fuel tender in between).  They had a LNG 'fueling station' at Staples, MN.  The engines started on diesel fuel, and switched over to LNG once they had enough fuel pressure.  They worked quite well.  There was about a 15-20% loss of power and they used a lot of LNG - But the cost was competitive at first.  Diesel fuel oil prices leveled off and the cost advantage did not justify going forward with the project. 

  Now, BNSF is looking at the same idea, and the Chicago-Seattle main line runs right through the Williston Basin/Bakken Formation Oil Reserve - There may be lots of NG there that can be used to power the fleet on the northern line.  And the emission issue is much improved.

  The 'fuel tenders' sat in Staples for years, and last summer they moved south through the Twin Cities.  Going to scrap or fodder for future testing?  These fuel tenders look nothing like the diesel fuel oil tenders that BN was using for a number of years.  It will be interesting to see if this gets off the ground before the cost of diesel fuel drops...

Jim

Major investor

The major investor in BN is Warren Buffet (Berkshire Hathaway), they also own a large stake in natural gas. Put the two together and you get engines powered by natural gas.

Bill B.

BNSF Ownership

  The major investor in BN is Warren Buffet (Berkshire Hathaway), they also own a large stake in natural gas. Put the two together and you get engines powered by natural gas.

Bill B

   BNSF is is basically owned 'lock, stock & barrel'  by Berkshire Hathaway - My understanding is that there is less than 100 shares that have not been redeemed(old CB&Q stock) for Berkshire Hathaway stock..  How much of the petroleum companies working the Bakken Formation is owned by Warren's company may be substantial.  

Jim