Rail bosses to explore options for greener rail travel in the Highlands by 2035 in line with Scotland’s Rail Decarbonisation Action Plan
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Rail chiefs are exploring solutions including the use of hydrogen and battery-powered trains in the Highlands as part of the vision to build a greener railway in Scotland.
An ambitious drive to remove all diesel trains on Scotland’s passenger services by 2035 began two years ago with the launch of Transport Scotland’s Rail Decarbonisation Action Plan.
During a visit to Inverness, ScotRail managing director Alex Hynes said work had already started in the central belt with the electrification of rail lines.
Options will now be explored for the north of Scotland including the Highland Main Line and north of Inverness although no decisions have yet been made.
“What we are looking at is electrifying the line between Inverness and the central belt by 2035,” Mr Hynes said.
“By 2035, clearly we need to remove diesel trains in the efforts to reduce the carbon footprint.”
He said talks were ongoing with Network Rail to look at the possible solutions.
Mr Hynes also revealed consideration will be given on whether to electrify the section of line between Inverness and Tain.
Further north on the rural lines to Kyle of Lochalsh and up to Thurso and Wick, the options will need to focus on the model of train – the use of hydrogen or battery-powered trains – in the drive towards achieving net zero.
“We are looking at some of the options,” Mr Hynes said.
“We need to do it because climate change targets are enshrined in legislation.
“We have to do that for the whole of the network.”
Mr Hynes also said that some of the loops will be expanded on the Highland Main Line which is largely single track, thereby restricting capacity for passenger and freight trains.
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Attention is also being turned to the revamp of Inverness Station which will be at the heart of a multimillion-pound project to create an integrated transport hub in the city centre.
Two years ago, key sites next to the station were acquired with Transport Scotland funding to pave the way for the development.
Mr Hynes said a masterplan will be drawn up with other partners including Network Rail, Transport Scotland and the city.
“The idea is rather than do a cosmetic refurbishment, we do a proper masterplan so we can give Inverness a station to be proud of for the next 30 years,” he said.
Citing Aberdeen, he said it could have a “transformational” impact if it was done right.
No time scale has been set.
Mr Hynes also warned finance was a big challenge as the rail industry revenue was 25 per cent lower than it was before the coronavirus pandemic.
