AS Chiltern Railways prepares to consider options for replacing its existing diesel fleet with more environmentallyfriendly trains, a report outlining its plans for the future says decarbonisation “cannot afford to wait for track electrification”.
In his introduction to the ‘Right Route 2030 Vision’, managing director Richard Allen says that after obtaining proposals and costs from manufacturers, the company will make its business case to the Government.
As an immediate measure, Class 68 locomotives (which the company subleases from Direct Rail Services to work some of its Chiltern Main Line services using Mk. 3 coaching stock) will be fuelled with Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a direct substitute for conventional diesel. No. 68014 was used at an event at London’s Marylebone station on July 27 to officially launch the use of HVO on Chiltern services. It is claimed the fuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% and air particulates by 85%. It is already being used in some UK freight locomotives.
On July 27, Chiltern managing director Richard Allen and MP Nickie Aiken, whose Cities of London and Westminster constituency includes Marylebone station, are pictured there alongside HVOfuelled Class 68 No. 68014 bearing ‘On Track for a Greener Future’ branding.
CHILTERN RAILWAYS