It’s exciting to be part of an industry that’s advancing so quickly. Since the first railways in Canada in the 1800s, we’ve built a nationwide network of railways and businesses that support or rely on them. Rail travel and transportation have evolved in many ways, including the fuel used to get there.
Our nationwide railway network impacts so many. It creates over 2,000 direct industry jobs.
In this article, we’ll discuss the transition from steam-powered trains to diesel. We’ll also talk about the future of locomotive fuel and power sources.
Steam Power
Early Canadian locomotives were powered by steam. Coal- or oil-heated water in the locomotive produced steam and high pressure inside the boiler. As this steam expanded, it pushed pistons connected to the locomotive’s wheels, driving the rolling stock.
Their efficiency was improved over the years, but the basic process stayed the same.
In the 1960s, CN and CP railways discontinued most steam-powered locomotives, replacing them with more efficient diesel and electric power. Today, only about 20 steam locomotives are in operation in Canada, and one of them celebrated its centennial in 2023.
Diesel Power
Early diesel-electric engines in Canada were manufactured by Montreal Locomotive Works Limited and Canadian General Electric (GE). Diesel locomotives far outperform their steam-powered predecessors. Steam locomotives operate at about 11% efficiency, but an electric diesel is closer to 20%.
Diesel locomotives use ignited diesel fuel to push pistons connected to an electric generator. This power moves motors on the wheels, causing the locomotive to move on the tracks. The engineer controls the locomotive power using an electrically controlled throttle.
This fuel source is popular for locomotives due to its lower volatility, cost, and availability. It also starts up much faster than steam (which requires time to heat the water) and gives off cleaner smoke than coal-burning steam engines.
Comparing steam vs diesel
Here’s a brief comparison of steam vs diesel locomotives:
Benefits of Steam
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Benefits of Diesel
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On the flip side, each power source comes with downfalls or less-than-desirable results:
Downfalls of Steam
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Downfalls of Diesel
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Fuel sources by the numbers…
Here are a few facts about locomotives and rail transportation in Canada:
- A Railway Association of Canada (RAC) report counted 2,606 diesel-powered and diesel multiple units (MNUs) in 2021.
- The fuel efficiency of Canadian locomotives has improved by 13.5% since 2014.
- There was a 2.8% decrease in fuel consumption from 2020 to 2021.
The RAC report also examined diesel-electric vehicles’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. “Canadian Class 1 freight railways are continuing to reduce their GHG emissions intensities and have made 99.01% progress towards the MOU target.” Meeting emission standards is important in this industry. That’s why 84.1% of Canadian engines have automatic engine start-stop (AESS) or auxiliary power units (APU).
The future of fuel technology and sustainability
The future looks bright and greener for fuel initiatives in the railway industry. The RAC report notes several key initiatives and technologies to help lower GHG emissions from locomotives. They aim to provide data-backed information to help make diesel engines more fuel-efficient. These include:
- A horsepower tonnage analyzer
- Energy Management systems
- Distributed power for remote control of locomotives
- Locomotive telemetry system
Other fuel and power options are also being developed, and diesel engines may have competition from:
- Hydrogen-powered locomotives using fuel cells and batteries
- Natural gas
- Battery-electric
- Liquefied Natural gas (LNG)
The future of rail travel
The future of rail transportation and travel is exciting. The future will include innovations to increase rail stock efficiency and innovation. We’re excited to hear about new fuel and power sources and how the industry can use AI to increase efficiency and safety.
While technology evolves, one constant remains: the importance of advanced railway parts and reliable track components. NARP rail services are dedicated to staying on top of the latest developments in rail transportation and fuel.
Our team sells new, relayed, and reconditioned rail materials from the ballast up. The team and services at NARP are known for their reliability and quality. Our reactionary ability to get you what you need when you need it. Browse our inventory of rail products online, or contact us about your custom needs today.
