KESR in landmark move to run diesels with new ‘green’ fuel
THE Kent & East Sussex Railway's credentials as one of the country's pioneering‘green'heritage lines has been enhanced by a ground-breaking move to fuel its diesel fleet with environmentally-friendly biodiesel.
The landmark decision follows a pilot programme with the railway's Class 108 DMU on public services throughout August, after which drivers reported that the unit “had never run so well”.
David Brenchley, the railway's locomotive delivery manager, told Heritage Railway that the fuel used was a new premium hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO) made from renewable and sustainable raw materials. It releases just 195kg of greenhouse gas for every 1000 litres of diesel burned, compared with 3600kg for traditional diesel.
Environmental responsibility
“We all know that burning fossil fuel is bad for the planet, but heritage railways are limited in what they can do to reduce emissions,” he said. “Biodiesels have been around for some time, but initially they were a bit iffy, to say the least, requiring alterations to machinery and not mixing with normal diesel.
“The new HVO looks like diesel and smells like diesel, but its raw materials don't release any new carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Our first delivery of 2000 litres wasn't overly expensive and was delivered very quickly.
“The switch is just one of our ‘green' initiatives, which also include buying locally and looking at waste re-use and recycling.”
KESR trustee Paul Vidler, a former town planner and a volunteer for 50 years, said: “Our aim is to make us a leader in sustainability and environmental responsibility. We can consider solar panels, wind turbines and heat pumps – there are so many ways we can lead by example, while at the same time preserving one of the loveliest heritage lines in the country.”
In addition to the Class 108, the new fuel will be used by the railway's 1958-built Ruston & Hornsby 0-4-0 diesel-electric Rowntree No. 1, which is in service as the Rolvenden shed yard pilot; Class 03 shunter D2023, which was also built in 1958 and now operates as the yard pilot at Tenterden Town station; and another former BR 0-6-0 diesel, Class 14 D9504, which, at 57 years of age, is the youngster of the group. Some of the line's permanent way rolling stock will also benefit from the biodiesel.
Of the difficulties heritage railways face with coal for steam locomotives, David said: “Between them, heritage lines use 35,000 tonnes a year.
“The problem sourcing coal is starkly illustrated by figures revealing the collapse of the UK mining industry. In 1913, an astonishing 292 million tonnes were produced, but by last year that had fallen to 1.7 million tonnes, and by 2025 it will be just 2500 tonnes, largely from the Forest of Dean.”
Surviving collieries
Mining has been taking place in the Forest of Dean since 1610, possibly even earlier. The area was exempted from the nationalisation of the industry in 1946 due to its unique form of ownership, and miners, known as freeminers, were allowed to continue their work.
It is estimated that 150 freeminers are alive today, but only a handful of collieries are still operating, although some are successful mainly through embracing non-traditional areas such as mining for ochre – a natural clay earth pigment – and also attracting tourists.
The railway's move to biodiesel follows the refurbishment of a Pullman dining train kitchen car where catering equipment is now powered by a state-of-the-art battery rather than by a traditional large diesel-powered generator.