As a train operator with a diesel only fleet, the management of our fuel use and air quality is particularly important to us.
The railway lines Chiltern Railways operate over are not electrified and we are working closely with the Department for Transport on developing a fleet strategy which supports our commitment to sustainability and decarbonisation.
We introduced the Driver Advisory System – DAS – to our fleet of trains to help reduce the amount of fuel we use on each journey. The DAS device assists Train Drivers to identify when to coast, accelerate and brake to ensure the most efficient usage of fuel. We also have engine shut down policies at stations, helping to keep to a minimum the amount of time that trains idle at stations, whilst still ensuring they can provide a reliable service for customers.
In July 2023, Chiltern Railways launched vegetable oil powered trains on its network – the first instance of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) being used in passenger service in the UK.
Our Class 68 locomotive-hauled trains will be powered with this innovative fuel, derived from used cooking oils, tallows and other recyclable wastes, rather than conventional diesel, drastically reducing the impact the trains have on the environment and air quality across its network.
HVO fuel is made almost entirely from used cooking oils and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% and air particulates by 85%. A fossil free drop-in alternative to conventional diesel fuel, HVO contains few impurities and burns cleanly. It can reduce other emissions such as NOx and Carbon Monoxide, depending on engine type and usage.
Although HVO fuel is more expensive to buy than conventional diesel, Chiltern has decided to switch to using HVO fuel as part of its plan to modernise and decarbonise its operations through the Right Route 2030 vision. This ambitious proposal sets out how fleet renewal and modernisation over the next decade will make journeys easier, greener and better for Chiltern customers.
All HVO fuel used by Chiltern Railways has been previously used and recycled to power part of our fleet, and the conversion is another exciting opportunity to both decarbonise and improve customer experience.
The Class 68 locomotives being fuelled with HVO haul six Mark III coaches when they are in passenger service, providing seating for more than 300 customers in a spacious interior.
The transition is another step in the right direction for Chiltern Railways as we remain focused on delivering our Right Route 2030 vision for the communities we serve.
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