Northern


says
trials
of
a
different
style
of
train
driving
show
that
fuel
consumption
could
be
cut
by
7
per
cent,
potentially
saving
£3
million
a
year.

The
train
operator
has
been
working
with
specialists
from
Chrome
Angel
Solutions
and
auticon,
who
have
developed
a
model
to
calculate
the
best
speed
and
braking
patterns.

The
output
of
the
model
is
then
used
to
help
train
drivers
change
their
driving
styles
to
use
less
fuel
while
keeping
trains
on
time.

Northern
says
early
tests
between
Whitby
and
Middlesbrough
identified
the
potential
7
per
cent
saving
in
fuel
consumption,
with
the
added
benefit
of
an
equal
reduction
in
CO2
emissions.

Northern
pays
around
£50
million
a
year
for
diesel,
and
so
in
theory the
state-owned
operator could
save
£3
million
or
more
annually,
although
the
precise
benefits
are
likely
to
vary
on
different
routes.

The
tests
have
now
been
extended
to
the
routes
between
Darlington
and
Bishop
Auckland
and
Darlington
and
Saltburn,
Newcastle
and
Hexham,
Nunthorpe
and
Kildale,
and
Seaham
and
Middlesborough.
The
original
test
route
from
Whitby
stays
in
the
trials,
but
has
been
extended
from
Middlesbrough
to
Newcastle.

Northern’s
strategic
development
director
Rob
Warnes
said:
‘Along
with
the
rest
of
the
rail
industry,
Northern
is
working
towards
phasing
out
diesel-only
trains
by
2040.

‘However,
with
only
25
per
cent
of
our
network
electrified,
diesel
trains
remain
integral
to
our
operation
and,
as
such,
we
want
to
make
sure
we
operate
them
in
the
most
fuel-efficient
way.

‘This
has
been
a
fascinating,
year-long
project
and
it’s
great
to
see
the
proof
on
concept
realised
so
that
we
can
now
expand
trials
and
build
the
case
for
implementation.’