Iarnród Éireann and its maintenance contractor Rhomberg Sersa Ireland Ltd are trialing the use of Hydro-Treated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in on-track maintenance machinery.
HVO is a renewable diesel replacement produced using vegetable oils and fats.
The trial is running during March and April.
Three ballast-cleaning machines are being used to test the fuel.
The machines account for about 45% of annual on-track fuel usage, consuming 61,500 litres of diesel in 2022.
The fuel for the machines will consist of 75% diesel and 25% HVO.
The company intends to increase the ratio of HVO in the fuel on a consistent basis, following an appraisal, with the end goal being 100% HVO use.
It will also lead to the conversion of other vehicles to HVO.
If the test is successful, it will cut carbon emissions by 90% compared to diesel.
It will also help the company adhere to the Government's target of a 51% reduction in carbon emissions for the transport sector by 2030.
