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Train Freight Diesel¤

Overview¤

Diesel train freight1 involves the transportation of goods by trains powered by diesel engines. This mode of transportation is essential for moving large volumes of cargo overland, offering a cost-effective and reliable solution for long-distance freight. Diesel-powered trains are widely used due to their flexibility and capability to operate on non-electrified rail networks.

Benefits¤

  • Cost-Effective: Diesel train freight is generally more economical for transporting large volumes of goods over long distances compared to road transport.
  • Capacity: Trains can carry large quantities of cargo in a single trip, making them suitable for bulk goods and heavy freight.
  • Reliability: Rail transport offers consistent and reliable schedules, with less susceptibility to traffic congestion and weather conditions.
  • Energy Efficiency: Trains are more energy-efficient per ton-mile than trucks, making them a more sustainable option for freight transport.

Applications¤

  • Bulk Commodities: Transportation of bulk goods such as coal, grain, minerals, and chemicals.
  • Container Freight: Movement of intermodal containers, allowing seamless transfer between ships, trucks, and trains.

Challenges¤

  • Infrastructure Dependence: Requires a well-maintained rail infrastructure, which can be costly to build and maintain.
  • Environmental Impact: Diesel engines produce emissions, including CO2, NOx, and particulate matter, contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Operational Constraints: Rail transport is less flexible than road transport, with fixed routes and schedules that may not meet all shipping needs.
  • Initial Investment: High capital costs for locomotives, railcars, and rail infrastructure.

Future Outlook¤

The future of diesel train freight will involve balancing the need for efficient transportation with environmental considerations. Advancements in diesel engine technology, such as cleaner-burning engines and emissions control systems, will help reduce the environmental impact. Additionally, the integration of hybrid locomotives and gradual electrification of rail networks where feasible will further enhance sustainability. Investment in rail infrastructure and intermodal facilities will improve the efficiency and capacity of rail freight, ensuring it remains a vital component of the global logistics and transportation network.

ES Model Parameters¤

All the parameters concerning the Train Freight Diesel are listed in the table below.

entry_key value unit sets source_reference
CO2_E (layer) 0.001349 kgCO2 CAN Morin, Nathalie; Chursinoff, Ben; Chapman, Anne-Marie; Scharf, Debbie; Despres, Chantale; Huck, David; Riendeau, Bruno; McCauley, Steve; Thibault, Jonathan; McBane, Jacob; Howell, Jaclyn; Lizotte, Simon; Bajwa, Nirwair; Macbeth, Murray, (2020): "LOCOMOTIVE EMISSIONS MONITORING REPORT 2020"
CO2_E (layer) 0.076 - FRA Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
CO2_E (layer) 0.076 - DEU Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
DIESEL (layer) -0.2881 - FRA Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
DIESEL (layer) -0.2881 - DEU Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
DIESEL (layer) -0.056 - CAN Natural Resources Canada, (2020): "Comprehensive Energy Use Database - Transportation Sector - Canada"
DIESEL (layer) -0.05009 kWh CAN Morin, Nathalie; Chursinoff, Ben; Chapman, Anne-Marie; Scharf, Debbie; Despres, Chantale; Huck, David; Riendeau, Bruno; McCauley, Steve; Thibault, Jonathan; McBane, Jacob; Howell, Jaclyn; Lizotte, Simon; Bajwa, Nirwair; Macbeth, Murray, (2020): "LOCOMOTIVE EMISSIONS MONITORING REPORT 2020"
DIESEL (layer) -0.0474 - CAN Railway Association of Canada, (2022): "Rail Trends 2022"
MOB_FREIGHT_RAIL (layer) 1 tkm CAN Morin, Nathalie; Chursinoff, Ben; Chapman, Anne-Marie; Scharf, Debbie; Despres, Chantale; Huck, David; Riendeau, Bruno; McCauley, Steve; Thibault, Jonathan; McBane, Jacob; Howell, Jaclyn; Lizotte, Simon; Bajwa, Nirwair; Macbeth, Murray, (2020): "LOCOMOTIVE EMISSIONS MONITORING REPORT 2020"
MOB_FREIGHT_RAIL (layer) 1 - CAN Natural Resources Canada, (2020): "Comprehensive Energy Use Database - Transportation Sector - Canada"
MOB_FREIGHT_RAIL (layer) 1 - CAN Railway Association of Canada, (2022): "Rail Trends 2022"
MOB_FREIGHT_RAIL (layer) 1 - FRA Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
MOB_FREIGHT_RAIL (layer) 1 - DEU Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
c_inv 104.4 MCHF/(Mtkm/h) FRA Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
c_inv 104.4 MCHF/(Mtkm/h) DEU Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
c_maint 2.6 MCHF/(Mtkm/h)/y FRA Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
c_maint 2.6 MCHF/(Mtkm/h)/y DEU Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
c_p 1 - FRA Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
c_p 1 - DEU Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
lifetime 40 y FRA Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
lifetime 40 y DEU Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
ref_size 38500 tkm/h FRA Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
ref_size 38500 tkm/h DEU Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
trl 9 - FRA Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"
trl 9 - DEU Schnidrig, Jonas, (2020): "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"

References¤

Data Sources
Morin, Nathalie; Chursinoff, Ben; Chapman, Anne-Marie; Scharf, Debbie; Despres, Chantale; Huck, David; Riendeau, Bruno; McCauley, Steve; Thibault, Jonathan; McBane, Jacob; Howell, Jaclyn; Lizotte, Simon; Bajwa, Nirwair; Macbeth, Murray. (2020). "LOCOMOTIVE EMISSIONS MONITORING REPORT 2020"
Natural Resources Canada. (2020). "Comprehensive Energy Use Database - Transportation Sector - Canada"
Railway Association of Canada. (2022). "Rail Trends 2022"
Schnidrig, Jonas. (2020). "Assessment of Green Mobility Scenarios on European Energy Systems"

  1. Zenith, Federico, Raphael Isaac, Andreas Hoffrichter, Magnus Skinlo Thomassen, et Steffen Møller-Holst. 2020. « Techno-Economic Analysis of Freight Railway Electrification by Overhead Line, Hydrogen and Batteries: Case Studies in Norway and USA ». Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit 234( 7): 791‑802. doi:10.1177/0954409719867495 ⧉