Viability of Mazda's new compression ignition petrol engine tech in the railways?

[mullac30]

Mazda has recently revealed their new compression ignition petrol engine, which claims to combine the efficiency and torque of diesel engines with the relatively clean running and performance of the petrol engine. The specs do seem to match these claims.
Mazda claim that the tech is scalable to much higher and lower displacements, which makes me think that they might be suitable for the railways.
Combined with hybrid battery tech seen in the likes of the Welsh 230s and the Class 93 could it prove an effective propulsion solution in places such as branch lines?

 

[Clip]

Ideally we need to be moving away from petrol/diesel powered trains on the railway be that battery or hydrogen so whilst it probably would work on some branch lines as you mention - they may have missed the boat on this one

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'd think safety would kibosh it - petrol is a far less safe fuel in any accident.

 

[HSTEd]

This tech has been floating around for years.

Its one of those things that is often supported for being an engineering novelty more than anything.

I'm skeptical it is that much better than a modern diesel

 

[Bletchleyite]

In any case with the move being towards bi-modes and series hybrids, the torque gain is not relevant, you could (safety issues aside) just have a high speed turbocharged spark ignition petrol engine turning a generator.