Train operator goes green

EAST Anglian train operator 'one' is going green by ensuring it uses electricity from renewable sources for all its stations, offices, and depots.

Company owner National Express has signed an agreement with power giant E.ON to supply renewable power to all the Group's 300 sites, including stations, maintenance facilities and offices.

Richard Bowker, chief executive of National Express Group, said: “Encouraging people to make the shift from car and plane into more energy efficient modes of transport such as train, bus or coach is already National Express Group's top priority.

“However, we are also committed to minimising our own impact on the climate. Moving to green electricity is part of our strategy to make National Express group a low carbon business; we now have the first emission free light rail system in the UK and are looking at ways to apply this to our electric trains.”

At 'one' railway, energy-saving initiatives already in operation include:

A fleet of 21 modern trains operating services between London and Braintree, Clacton, Chelmsford, Colchester and Ipswich are fitted with regenerative braking systems - this environmentally friendly initiative allows these trains to generate electricity while they are slowing down.

Energy saving reductions at the company's Maintenance Depots in Ilford and at Crown Point, Norwich, by reducing gas and electricity consumption.

Oil recycling schemes in place at the Crown Point Maintenance Depot in Norwich.

Energy efficient train driving techniques feature as part of the regular training and development programme for 'one' railways' train drivers.

Peter Meades from 'one' said that at present it was not possible to power existing trains by renewable energy but that eventually the company hoped that would be possible.

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