The history of train fuel

The history of railways began in northeastern England in the 17th century with horse-drawn wagons running on wooden or metal tracks. These early rail systems were primarily constructed to transport coal from mines and rivers for shipment.

During this period, steam was used to help extract coal from mines, leading to the development of steam-powered engines.

The breakthrough came when inventors figured out how to use the steam engines to power trains, allowing for faster transportation of coal, and later, passengers.

Limitations of steam power

Steam engines revolutionised transport, but they were not without problems. They were inefficient, noisy, and smoky, and required constant maintenance. Operators needed to frequently stop for coal and water, and engines often broke down, leading to cancellations and high repair costs. Despite these challenges, the steam engine became the dominant source of power for railways until better alternatives emerged.

The rise of diesel engines

In their mission to replace steam, British Rail (BR) began experimenting with new fuel sources, focusing on diesel and electricity.

Diesel engines offered several advantages over steam:

• They were more fuel-efficient
• They were more cost-effective to operate
• They helped reduce local emissions, making station cleaner and more comfortable for passengers

The shift toward electrification

Electric trains had been in use for decades, beginning with the first permanent electrified railway at Lichterfelde, near Berlin, in 1881. The UK adopted electric traction in the 1890s, starting with the City and South London Railway in 1890, followed by the Liverpool Overhead Railway in 1893. By 1903, electric trains were operating on parts of the Mersey Railway.

Today, electric trains are preferred for their lower environmental impact and overall efficiency. They offer several key advantages:

• Zero emissions at point of use: Electric trains don’t produce exhaust fumes, helping to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Energy efficiency: many models use regenerative braking systems which feed energy back into the grid when they brake.
• Cheaper to run: Electricity is generally cheaper than diesel, and electric trains require less maintenance.
• Improved reliability: Electric engines tend to have fewer breakdowns, leading to more consistent, on-time services
• Faster travel: Their lighter engines and quick acceleration means shorter journey times on many routes.

However, as of 2024, only just 39% of the UK network is currently electrified, and plans are in place to phase out all diesel trains by 2040.

Hydrogen and Biofuels

As the rail industry moves toward net-zero targets, alternatives fuels like hydrogen and biofuels are gaining momentum.

Hydrogen trains generate electricity by mixing hydrogen with oxygen, with only water vapour as a by-product. That means no harmful emissions, just clean, quiet journeys. Hydrogen-powered trains such as the UK’s HydroFLEX, are already in use, showcasing the potential of this technology. The HydroFLEX can reach speeds of up to 90mph and handle challenging inclines such as Lickey Hill - the steepest gradient on the UK mainline.

Biofuels made from renewable organic materials like plants or waste oils, are also being explored. It can be used on its own or blended with regular diesel, making it a quick and flexible option for train operators.

One passenger train fully powered by biofuel already runs on the Chiltern Service between Birmingham and London. These trains can significantly reduce greenhouse emissions.

However, both hydrogen and biofuels face several challenges, including the high costs of infrastructure, production and fuel storage, as well concerns about their long term availability and the environmental impact of their production.

The environmental impact of train fuel

Railways have long been a greener transportation option compared to road and air travel. Rail travel produces 10 times fewer carbon emissions per passenger compared to an equivalent car journey, and 13 times fewer than flying.

The industry is continually working to reduce emissions through various initiatives. Many train operators, including Avanti West Coast, are leveraging data modeling to optimise fuel consumption and reduce their carbon footprints. Such initiatives are already yielding results: in March 2024, passenger train emissions in the UK decreased by 6%.

Sustainability in the railway industry

Rail companies are also investing in infrastructure upgrades to reduce energy loss and improve efficiency. Network Rail’s ‘Railway Upgrade Plan’ focuses on replacing old tracks and signals, which minimises energy use.

Another key upgrade is the introduction of smart signalling, which improves the flow of traffic across the network. By reducing the need for frequent stops and starts, it allows more trains to run efficiently.

Avanti West Coast has set a target to reach net zero carbon by 2031. Our plans involve rolling out electric and bi-mode hybrid trains and investing in renewable energy.

The global shift towards sustainable train fuel

Around the world, nations are transitioning to more sustainable rail systems. Countries like Switzerland and Luxembourg have almost fully electrified networks. While Germany and Japan are using innovative technologies like battery-powered trains to reduce pollution on non-electrified lines.

In the Netherlands, trains have run entirely on wind power since 2017. This creates a zero-emission rail system.

Meanwhile, California is building a 1,287.5 km high-speed rail network powered entirely by solar energy. The project includes 552 acres of solar panels and onboard batteries capable of storing 62 megawatt hours of power per train.

All of these highlight a growing global commitment to sustainable rail travel.

A sustainable future with Avanti West Coast

At Avanti West Coast, we are committed to making rail travel cleaner and faster.

By phasing out older diesel models and introducing our Evero trains and refurbishing our iconic and all-electric Pendolino trains, we’re helping pave the way for a greener future. Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, we aim to make your journey smarter and more sustainable.