Finished reading an article in November Trains magazine referencing that BNSF and CN are evaluating running some engines on compressed or liquefied natural gases. Given the lower gas fuel cost vs diesel, these RR are taking a second look at possible fleet conversion.
I assume the diesel motors are extensively modified to accept these gases. My understanding is diesel fuel has a high ignition point requiring great compression to generate the heat to combust the fuel, while gas has low ignition point thus lower compression required(or maybe I have ignition points reversed, but you get the idea). I haven't found any material that explains how the RR modify the equipment for LNG.
Second in light of accidents, if a fuel tank ruptures usually there is a oil leak no fire. But if one of the gas fuel tenders ruptured, there would be a rather cataclysmic explosion. I have to assume that tanks are double lined heavier steel to minimize punctures.
