Deal signed for biodiesel fuelled trains in Florida

A new passenger train system currently under development in Florida will run on biodiesel fuel, according to the South Florida Business Journal.

The Miami based company developing the Brightline train system has teamed up with Florida Power & Light Co. to use clean energy alternatives for fuel. Expected to begin operation in September, the Brightline train will run on biodiesel fuel supplied by FPL on a two year contract, claims the South Florida Business Journal article.

FPL will supply two million gallons of biodiesel a year to the project. “For the past 18 years, FPL has used cleaner, high-quality biodiesel fuel in its vehicles, and it is now the primary fuel source for more than 1,750 vehicles in its fleet,” the utility company said in a statement. "Now, Brightline’s all-American trains will be running on this same fuel."

According to the South Florida Business Journal, Brightline’s trains are powered by technology developed by Siemens, and equipped with fuel tanks capable of holding up to 2,200 gallons (10,000 litres) of fuel. It is expected that the trains will consume 2 gallons (9 litres) of fuel a mile. The 67-mile (108km) one-way trip from Miami to West Palm Beach would consume 134 gallons (609 litres).