California Diesel Train ban

[ThomasD]

Will it be possible to electrify all Trains and Train lines operating in California by 2035?

MSN

 

[Watts_Up]

Will it be possible to electrify all Trains and Train lines operating in California by 2035?

MSN

In the 1990, all the major transcontinental railroad tunnels have been modified to the double stack containers gabarit.

However this double stack containers gabarit will not allow installing electrical catenary wires.

Only few tunnels provide enought clearance, such as the Channel Tunnel, but this requires also using specialy designed pantographs.

 

[Steel_Cobb]

Most trains are already electric. The diesel motor is just driving a generator which powers the electric motors. If they mean fully electric like @Watts_Up says, then no. You couldn't do it unless every single train and track in the US was electrified.

 

[drift]

Most trains are already electric. The diesel motor is just driving a generator which powers the electric motors. If they mean fully electric like @Watts_Up says, then no. You couldn't do it unless every single train and track in the US was electrified.

First all engine are already electric. The diesel generator could be replaced by a fuel cell or a battery the track doesn't need to be electrified as each road doesn't need to be electrified. Do problems exist? Yes. Are they solvable? Yes.

 

[Watts_Up]

Will it be possible to electrify all Trains and Train lines operating in California by 2035?

MSN

Here is an interesting article covering all major points of this electrification debate:

The Feasibility of California’s Electric Train Mandate When the Trains Do Not Exist​

The choice of electrification of the network is certainly a long term solution but still present numerous challenges, see for example:

Railway electrification in the Soviet Union​

The usage of Hydrogen is a possibility but green Hydrogen production is still almost nonexistent, and storage and transportation are quite complex. While railways electrification is more flexible, for example batteries could be used in tunnels, rail yards or stations with multiple tracks, and the batteries could then be recharged while the train is moving and connected to a catenary.

Also regenerative braking could be used to recharge the batteries or directly sent back to the Grid to be used by other trains.
The maintenance cost of electric locomotives versus diesel could be another advantage.

The Right Route to Rail Decarbonization is Electrification​

Response to U.S. Dept. of Energy RFI — Progression ​

to Net-Zero Emission Propulsion Technologies for the Rail Sector​