5 Key Takeaways
- Indian Railways launched a dual-fuel LNG train on October 4, 2026, with a range of up to 1,600 km without refuelling.
- The dual-fuel engine can automatically switch between LNG and diesel, with LNG replacing up to 40 percent of diesel use without loss of power or performance.
- Two 1,400-horsepower Driving Power Cars were converted at Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot and completed over 2,000 km of field trials.
- Indian Railways estimates annual savings of about Rs 11.9 lakh per converted DPC and about Rs 23.9 lakh per eight-coach rake with two DPCs.
- LNG use lowers carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter emissions and supports Indian Railways' goal of zero diesel consumption by 2030.
Indian Railways Launches Dual-Fuel LNG Train with 1,600 km Range
October 4, 2026
Indian Railways has taken another major step away from diesel. On October 4, 2026, it launched a train that can run up to 1,600 kilometres without refuelling. The key is a dual-fuel engine that uses liquefied natural gas, commonly known as LNG, alongside conventional diesel. While hydrogen-powered trains have been widely discussed as a future clean-energy option, this LNG-powered train is already on the tracks.
LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to about minus 162 degrees Celsius, turning it into a liquid that takes up far less space than natural gas in its vapour form. That makes it practical to store enough fuel on board a moving train. In this system, LNG is not used alone. The train runs on a dual-fuel arrangement in which LNG and diesel work together.
What kind of train is this?
This is not a fully gas-powered train. It uses a dual-fuel system where LNG can replace up to 40 percent of diesel consumption during operations. The dual-fuel engine can automatically switch between LNG and diesel depending on which fuel is available. No manual intervention is needed. Indian Railways states that there is no loss in engine power or performance.
Where was it built and tested?
Two Driving Power Cars, or DPCs, were converted for the project. Each DPC is rated at 1,400 horsepower. The conversion work was done at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot in Ahmedabad. Before the launch, both converted DPCs completed more than 2,000 kilometres of field trials. Those trials were designed to test performance and reliability under actual operating conditions. The technology cleared the trials before being put into regular service.
How far can it go?
Each converted DPC carries an LNG tank with a capacity of around 2,200 litres. That tank holds approximately 850 to 900 kilograms of usable gas. A single full tank is enough to run the train for up to 1,600 kilometres without stopping to refuel. That is roughly the straight-line distance from Mumbai to Kolkata.
How much money will Indian Railways save?
The savings start with a single DPC. Indian Railways estimates annual savings of around Rs 11.9 lakh from one converted DPC alone. For a full eight-coach rake with two DPCs, the figure rises to about Rs 23.9 lakh per year. Across multiple trains, the savings can add up substantially. The Railways says there is no reduction in operational capacity.
What about emissions?
Cutting diesel use by 40 percent does not just save money. It also reduces the amount of pollution the train puts out. Trial data released by Indian Railways shows that LNG use lowers emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. Those are three of the main pollutants associated with diesel engines.
Where does this fit in Indian Railways' bigger plan?
The LNG train is not a one-off project.
“Railways consumed 293 crore litres of diesel in 2015-16.”
— Amit Shah
The target is to bring that down to zero by 2030. India has already completed 99.6 percent railway electrification. That places it ahead of China at 92 percent, Spain at 68 percent, France at 60 percent, and the United Kingdom at 49 percent. The LNG train is one piece of a much larger clean energy shift.
| Country | Railway Electrification |
|---|---|
| India | 99.6% |
| China | 92% |
| Spain | 68% |
| France | 60% |
| United Kingdom | 49% |
What else was launched at the Ahmedabad event?
The LNG train was not the only thing flagged off. Projects worth more than Rs 1,542 crore were launched at the same event. These included:
- A Rs 700-crore WAG-12 electric locomotive maintenance shed
- The flagging off of a WAG-12 locomotive
- The Kavach train protection system, an automatic train protection technology designed to prevent collisions, launched on two major sections
- Automatic signalling works and line doubling on the Sabarmati-Sarkhej section
What happens next?
The launch signals that Indian Railways is not betting on a single technology to cut diesel dependence. Electrification remains the largest shift, but trains still run on diesel on some routes. LNG dual-fuel technology can reduce diesel use on those routes without waiting for full electrification or hydrogen infrastructure. If the converted rakes perform well in daily service, the approach could be expanded to more trains across the network. The immediate goal is clear: use less diesel, save money, and cut emissions while keeping the trains moving.
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