Thirdrail7
Engineer
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2014
- Messages
- 4,542
I found this tidbit to be optimistic. Then again, if they actually invest the time and money into this, it probably could occur.
UK to scrap diesel trains by 2040 in favour of H2
UK to scrap diesel trains by 2040 in favour of H2
The next generation of trains is just around the corner” said the UK’s Rail Minister as he revealed ambitious plans to scrap diesel-only trains by 2040 in favour of hydrogen (H2).
In a speech delivered on Monday titled a ‘Cleaner, Greener Railway’, Jo Johnson (left) urged the rail industry to clean up its act and provide a vision for how it will decarbonise in a bid to reduce pollutants and improve air quality.“I would like to see us take all diesel-only trains off the track by 2040. If that seems like an ambitious goal, it should be and I make no apology for that,” he stated. “After all, we’re committed to ending sales of petrol and diesel cars by 2040. If we can achieve that, then why can’t the railway aspire to a similar objective?”
Johnson said the future could see battery and diesel engines replaced with H2 units. “Alternative fuel trains powered entirely by H2 are a prize on the horizon. I’d like to see H2 train trails on the UK railway as soon as possible. H2 offers an affordable – and potentially much cleaner – alternative to diesel. And, the technology has developed fast in recent years. To the extent that Alstom is now testing a train which only emits steam and condensed water – yet is capable of 140km per hour and a range of up to 800km, which matches the performance of regular regional trains,” he explained.