Latest Rail News

01.11.19

Modernised Govia Thameslink Railway fleet improve energy efficiency

Govia Thameslink Railway are now recycling over 50% more energy back into the railway network, helping to power the fleet and making them more energy efficient than any previous generations of trains.

The ‘smart’ braking system introduced on 115 Siemens Class 700’s on Thameslink and 25 Class 717’s on Great Northern have the capacity to recover more energy than ever following a modernisation programme.

The network recently completed a £2bn rolling stock programme to enhance passenger journeys and transform one of the UK’s oldest fleets into one of the most modern.

With this fleet of modern trains now in operation, energy previously lost to heat from friction on the trains is replaced, meaning 15.8 GWh, is returned to the network, an extra 5.6 GWh every 4 weeks compared to 18 months ago.

This is enough to power domestic energy consumption in Crawley for 12 days, Cambridge for 11 days and Peterborough for seven days.

GTR has recently released its 2019 sustainability report, outlining these green improvements and others, such as the upgrade of platform lights at all of their stations to LEDs, cutting energy use by up to 80% and new seasonal lighting controls to further reduce consumption.

GTR’s Head of Environment Jason Brooker said:

“We are committed to operating a more sustainable railway by embracing initiatives to tackle energy and water consumption, manage resources more efficiently and reduce waste to ensure we lower our impact on the environment.”

33 retailors at GTR stations are also taking part in the national “Refill” campaign, encouraging customers to make use reusable water bottles and the free tap water available.

Other points in the report show that 18,000 children have been educated in railway safety, and 238 apprentices are currently on GTR programmes.

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