Getting rail emissions to zero
BackgroundRail is already the least emissions-intensive mode of transport, but the European goal is to get to net zero by 2050. How can railways get to this goal?Read more
Infrabel works on regulation to permit diesel-electric locs in Belgium
Belgian infrastructure manager Infrabel has new regulation in the making that will allow diesel-hybrid locomotives on the network. The company had received request from operators for permissions, sister publication Flows reports, which set things in...Read more
Beyond B100: SNCF’s ‘PlaneTER’ strategy for greener rail operations
Following the successful implementation of rapeseed-based biofuel B100 in Normandy, SNCF Voyageurs is also looking into Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), batteries and hydrogen. RailTech.com sat down with Stéphane Chwalik, head of decarbonisation efforts for the...Read more
Belgium commits to phasing out diesel-powered rolling stock
Belgium is dedicated to finding alternative to the remaining diesel-powered rolling stock in Flanders, federal minister for Mobility Georges Gilkinet said in response to questions by a member of parliament this week. Battery-electric trains are...Read more
DB reaches HVO biofuel target two years earlier
With 17 million litres of the biofuel HVO, Deutsche Bahn is using twice the amount of biofuel in its diesel locomotives at the start of 2023 as originally calculated. Their volume target of the use...Read more
The plan B to keep trains running in Ukraine: diesel and … steam locomotives?
How to keep Ukrainian trains running when a large part of the energy infrastructure is destroyed? Reserve diesel locomotives have been deployed by Ukrzaliznytsia on de-energised sections of railway. The head of Ukrainian Railways Alexander...Read more
Dutch province can’t make the (business) case for battery trains
The Dutch province of Overijssel has pulled the plug on the use of battery-electric trains from 2027 onwards. The province had planned to use the trains on sections without overhead lines instead of the diesel...Read more
Green credentials of railways not enough: ‘we need lower emissions now’
The Decarbonisation Company, a climate tech startup, aims to accelerate the energy transition in the rail sector by de-fossilising combustion engines. RailTech.com spoke to founder Marleen van de Kerkhof about the company’s solution and goals. Read more
DB Cargo orders 200 new dual locomotives
At the start of the new year, DB cargo is taking action to modernise its locomotive fleet. The German operator and one of the European rail freight giants ordered a batch of 200 new locomotives...Read more
High electricity prices makes Freightliner resort to diesel locos
The shocking rise in electricity prices has sparked some rail freight operators into a startling scenario. Electric locomotives are to be stopped and operators will resort to diesel traction instead. This would pose difficult questions...Read more
Renfe re-tenders 72 trains: no more diesel hybrids
Renfe is replacing the tender for 72 Medium Distance and Cercanías commuter trains. The company will refrain from buying hybrid diesel-electric trains, and will prioritise technologies such as hydrogen for trains that run on non-electrified...Read more
Deutsche Bahn to become carbon neutral by 2050
German national railway operator Deutsche Bahn is planning to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. To this end, it will totally convert its traction energy that will be generated from renewable sources. In terms of rolling...Read more
First UK’s tri-mode train will run to Gatwick Airport
A totally new kind of rolling stock will be introduced on the UK’s railway network. It is the tri-mode vehicles that are able to run on the lines, which are powered with overhead wires and...Read more