Exclusive:Power shortage forces '100% electric' train operator Lumo to use diesel for new service
Freight trains also hit by energy shortage on west coast main line
A cross-Border rail operator which prides itself on running "100 per cent electric trains" will be forced to use diesels for its new Stirling-London services because of a shortage of power on the line, The Scotsman has learned.
Lumo, which runs Glasgow-Edinburgh-London trains via the east coast main line (ECML), will have to rely on more polluting diesel engines for its new route via the west coast main line (WCML), which starts sometime this spring.
The lack of power on the Glasgow-London WCML has also prevented some freight operators from switching more of their trains to electric locomotives which would speed them up, such as on steep inclines over the northern part of the route.
The supply problems are around Crewe, and Acton in London.
An industry source said: “Many freight trains on the line run with diesel and climb Beattock and Shap at 25mph as a result, using a lot of capacity and often delaying following passenger trains.”
The Scotsman also revealed four years ago that TransPennine Express’ passenger trains have to switch to diesel over a section of the ECML between northern England and Scotland because of a power shortage there too.
A spokesperson for Lumo said: “WCML power supply constraints highlighted by Network Rail to the Office of Rail and Road [regulator] throughout the process for Lumo introducing services means we will initially operate refurbished class 222 [diesel] trains with ambitions to operate electric-battery hybrid trains in the longer term.
“Rail remains one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transport, especially over air and road.”
A spokesperson for freight train operator Freightliner said: “The constraints on the WCML, and in some areas on the ECML, highlight how essential it is that power supply issues are addressed.
“Freight operators are ready to introduce more zero‑emission, electrically hauled services to support decarbonisation, but this relies on having a resilient and adequately powered network.
“Addressing these power constraints is crucial for enabling growth in electric freight and for supporting the UK’s pathway to net zero.”
TransPennine Express engineering, safety and sustainability director Paul Staples said: "After making changes to our fleet, our bi-mode trains can run electrically on most of the ECML.
“There remains a section between Northumberland and the Scottish Border where electric operation is not currently available and we are continuing discussions with our industry partners to support this across the full length of the route.”
Transform Scotland rail policy adviser Paul Tetlaw said: “It is very disappointing to learn that limited power supplies on the WCML are resulting in passenger operators having to operate diesel trains under the wires.
“Coupled with this will be diesel operation of freight trains on an electrified railway - a very inefficient use of valuable track capacity.
“It's high time that the [UK] Government got their ducks in a row here and funded Network Rail to address this as a matter of urgency.”
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Electric trains are better for passengers and the environment, and we want to see more of them on our railway.
“There is high demand from train operators to switch to electric units across the network and we are carefully balancing that ambition with safety, capacity and performance.
“We’ll continue to work closely with industry partners on upgrades to enable more electric services as soon as possible while maintaining a reliable service for everyone who depends on the railway.”
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