The Derby rail firms leading green revolution

Among the major rail firms leading the drive towards greener travel are Derby train manufacturer Bombardier Transportation and train operator East Midlands Railway.

At its Litchurch Lane site, Bombardier is currently making and delivering hundreds of electric Aventra trains for customers throughout the country, which are greener and quieter than their diesel equivalents.

Meanwhile, EMR is investing hundreds of millions of pounds in a new fleet of bi-mode trains, which will eventually replace the diesel fleet currently operating on the Midland Mainline, which serves Derby.

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There are various types of bi-mode trains available, some of which can run on a combination of electricity and diesel.

Derby is home to one of the largest clusters of rail firms in the world – and a number of those companies are working on fuel technology to make rail travel even more environmentally friendly.

They include Porterbrook, which has introduced HydroFLEX, the UK’s first hydrogen powered train. The firm is also working on delivering new battery and hybrid-powered trains, as well as making older rolling stock greener.

Both Porterbrook and Bombardier have expressed their support for Derby’s ambition to become a centre of excellence for fuel technology.

Derby City Council is inviting manufacturers, technology companies and universities to become partners in developing the future fuels strategy.

In a statement, Bombardier Transportation said: “This is an exciting and ambitious initiative for a city that has been at the centre of technological innovation for hundreds of years, and a maker of trains for 180 years.

“As a major city employer, we are proud that we design and build electric trains here, and we are looking forward to playing our part in making Derby the UK centre for a decarbonised future.”