Freightliner heralds successful trial of UK’s heaviest HVO-powered train

Freightliner operated the heaviest train in the UK to be powered by sustainable fuel, when it used a Class 70 fuelled by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) on a Merehead-Acton aggregates train on February 17.

The trial used 70017 to power the 2250 Merehead Quarry-Acton Yard, hauling 33 loaded JNA wagons plus 59205 and 66524. Overall, the load was some 4,000 tonnes, making it not only the heaviest but also the longest train on the UK network to be powered by HVO fuel.

The trial, which the operator described as highly successful, follows similar tests began by DB Cargo UK last December using a Class 66. Since then, a ‘60’ has also been tested by DB ( RAIL 926).

An FL spokesman told RAIL that throughout the journey the Class 70 performed well and was able to offer its full power.

The operator also collected the time spent in each notch through the journey to enable it to calculate the fuel consumption for the entire journey. FL said this resulted in a reduction of Greenhouse Gas CO emissions by 1,180kgs compared with a standard EN590 diesel, as well as improving almost all areas of air quality emissions.

HVO fuel cuts emissions by up to 90% compared with the usual red diesel used by freight companies. No modifications are needed for the locomotives to run on the fuel, and HVO can be mixed with diesel.

The fuel is described as one of the world’s purest and greenest fuels. It’s fossil free and is synthetically made through the hydro-treatment process from vegetable oils.