Railway urged to go green

Yes, that's what I said (re:travel). Information on James Allen's blog about F1 being driven by sponsors to cut Carbon emissions by 12% over 3 years FOTA aims to slash carbon emissions within three years James Allen on F1.

Simon

 

I think this just tells us that the EVR has reached Iconic success status such that others want to use it for their own publicity. Congratulations on the mature response by their spokesman.rr

 

Oh, I think 'Iconic success' is good.

Thanks to all for their kind words in this topic and I much appreciate the comment regarding a mature response: I really had to reel my neck in when responding to the person who raised the matter with the paper.

Without discussing personalities, all I can add to this debate is that I took detailed advice from one of our locomotive owners, somebody who owns several large engines and is also a well-respected engineer on the Big Railway. The risks are huge in attempting to convert heritage diesel traction and so are the costs, not to mention the liabilities if anything goes wrong.

Biodiesel has a bad reputation for clogging fuel systems and if you consider that we have three main line locomotives (all owned by different individuals), heaven knows how many shunters and 7 or 8 DMU power cars, each with two engines, the logistics are frightening. And for what gain? Poorer fuel consumption, a whole host of technical unknowns and no guarantee of improved emissions anyway. We would even have to purchase a second diesel tank, build a bund for it and then hold 100% more diesel so we have regular and biodiesel storage.

Fortunately, the Matlock Mercury wrote a very even-handed article . As an aside, I often tease that Wirksworth is the 'museli-munching, sandal-wearing capital of Derbyshire', but every comment I received from people who had read the article were fully in support of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway's position.

The big difference the EVR has made for emissions is to provide visitors to Wirksworth and the Ecclesbourne Valley with a credible alternative to taking their cars to the area.

Kind regards,

Neil Ferguson-Lee
Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

 

Have any heritage lines tried using bio-fuel?

 

If he wants to prat about with Bio or eco fuels, go bother a TOC and urge them to use it on new types where it can actually make a difference, Preserved Lines are a drop in the ocean when it comes to greenhouses gases and it's use is largely inpracticle with heritage equipment which was never designed to be used in a such a way, why should a preserved line put their traction (and by extension their future) at risk to please some hippie whos pastime is complaining ?, I rather suspect he's only bothering the EVR because bigger concerns who use Diesel fuel have laughed and told him where to go.

 

Doesn't the Bluebell recycle rainwater? Surely heritage railways are pretty much recycling centres recycling old rolling stock, rails ,sleepers (not sure about ballast) building materials etc. I don't see the big railway recycling on such a massive scale..

 

In fairness I doubt the metal from a scrapped 37 or 56 is mush use in a Voyager which is plastic for the most part.

 

Not forgetting the fine efforts of the West Somerset Railway. <BJ>

Recycled Aggregates | Norton Fitzwarren | West Somerset Railway