Rare Earth Trains on Trial
Sep 26, 2025
Sylvia Barrett, Director of Policy and Campaigns at Campaign for Better Transport, discusses the crucial role of electrification in reducing transport emissions. Journalist Christian Woolmar provides historical insight into how early railways may have contributed to fossil fuel dependency. Rob Scargill, curator at the National Railway Museum, emphasizes the technological innovations on the horizon for decarbonization. Together, they debate how effective rail can be in combating climate change and the barriers it faces today.
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Sleeper Romance And Japanese Precision
- Tom Heap described the Caledonian Sleeper as inherently romantic, enjoying dinner and waking up in a different landscape.
- He contrasted this with Japan's spot-on punctuality and precision that made train travel extraordinary.
Train-Rolling Ferry Memory
- Helen Czerski recalled a train that rolled onto a ferry between Hamburg and Copenhagen for a short sea crossing.
- She said it felt brilliant to get off and then reboard the train on the ferry.
Trains Are Unusually Energy Efficient
- Christian Wolmar and Rob Scargill emphasised trains move large numbers efficiently, replacing many cars.
- Rob highlighted steel wheels on steel track reduce friction, making rail highly energy-efficient.
