Railways: Electrification
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51730 on Railways: Electrification, if she will list all reports and documents that train operators have (a) submitted to and (b) discussed with her Department on the acceleration capability of trains powered by (i) batteries, (ii) overhead catenary systems and (iii) contact rail systems for operating speeds of up to 125 miles per hour.
Answered by Keir Mather
Department officials are working closely with train operators and Network Rail to build a full understanding of the different traction opportunities as we work towards Net Zero in rail by 2050.
The Rail Industry has developed a range of evidence supporting the known case for the reliability and performance benefits of electric traction over diesel traction in rail. This includes work by the Rail Safety & Standards Board, the Railway Industry Association, and Network Rail, examples of which are provided below.
- https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1145
- https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/RIA/Newsroom/Publications%20Folder/Why_Rail_Electrification_Report.aspx
- https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/RIA/Newsroom/Publications%20Folder/A_lower_cost__higher_performing_net-zero_railway.aspx
- https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Traction-Decarbonisation-Network-Strategy-Interim-Programme-Business-Case.pdf
It is also important to note that these technologies, particularly battery, are rapidly developing and our understanding is constantly growing with the support of Network Rail and our train operators.
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