The UK East Midlands Trains company has introduced an energy-saving mode on 27 of its Meridian locomotives to help save fuel and cut down pollution. If a train stands in a station for more than seven minutes, most of the engines will shut down automatically, resulting in reduced noise and emissions. Under present circumstances, trains can wait up to an hour at stations such as Nottingham and St Pancras before setting off.
When switched on, the energy saving mode slightly reduces interior lighting, cuts the power from the at-seat sockets and limits heating and air conditioning. However, passengers will still be able to board the train while it is in energy saving mode and the doors, display screens, WiFi and toilets will all continue to work as normal.
According to East Midlands Trains’ head of environment Matt Browne: “As well as the reduction in emissions, this will save up to 54 litres of diesel per train for every hour they are not used, saving a massive 800,000 litres of fuel every year, which is enough to fill 20 articulated road tankers. There will be further benefits such as improved fleet reliability and cleaner and quieter stations and depots.”

Original article [Railways Africa]