Development of a Passenger Rail Traction Decarbonisation Strategy is the first report of NRIL's Decarbonisation Workstream, led by Julie Carrier of SYSTRA.

Executive Summary

Development of a Passenger Rail Traction Decarbonisation Strategy explores the options for decarbonising the North's rolling stock. It is the first of two papers to be published by the Workstream group and highlights that:

• The railway network should play a key role in the Government’s levelling up agenda and the decarbonisation of the railway can play a crucial part;
• Railways in the North of England are heavily dependent on diesel traction, so alternatives like electrification, battery and hydrogen will need to be implemented;
• Train operators will need to deliver rail decarbonisation strategies for their routes; and
• Early deployment of schemes and development of low cost solutions will be essential.