This Train Turns Methane From Human Waste Into Electricity As Eco-Friendly Fuel

Today railways are not as advanced as aviation, but it has managed to offer relatively cleaner and less environmentally-taxing methods since most run on electricity. However, a majority chunk of trains still run on diesel engines which are known to cause a ton of pollution.

However, as nations around the world plan on phasing out these diesel locomotives, one company is working on running the train on gas made using human, animal and other kinds of waste that are discarded to offer a cleaner mode of transport.

Ultra Light Rail Partners

The newly developed railcar is called BioUltra and it converts biomethane gas into electricity, which charges the batteries and helps it move. The novel railcar has been developed by engineers with the Worcester-based Ultra-Light Rail Partners.

The railcar originally is going to be roughly 20 metres long with a top speed of 50 miles per hour. However, to showcase the technology, engineers developed a demo train which was roughly 10 metres long, weighing around 12 tonnes.?

Unlike diesel engines, the biomethane powered train does not release any toxic fumes in the air like nitrogen dioxide. And even though biomethane is known to be stinky, the fumes that are released are almost odourless. Moreover, The capacity of the BioUltra car's tanks will offer a maximum range of around 2,000 miles between refuelling stations.?

The train is compatible with regular gauge tracks, however, since it's nearly half as light as a conventional diesel railcar, it will cause less wear and tear of tracks and help reduce maintenance costs.?

Ultra Light Rail Partners' technical director, Christopher Maltin said in a statement, “Biomethane can be proved, without doubt, to be the most environmentally friendly fuel. I am delighted that, following on from producing the world’s first tram-train to be powered by biomethane, this locally produced and sustainable fuel will continue to be used for this new railcar.”

Ultra Light Rail Partners

He added, “The combination of biomethane as the fuel and the absence of any particulates from tyre degradation or road abrasion will result in the cleanest form of public transport, both in terms of air quality and climate change.”