A collaboration between Network Rail, Southern Renewals Enterprise (SRE) and VolkerRail has seen the replacement of 1,150 yards of plain line track replaced with low carbon materials – marking the completion of UK’s first low-carbon track renewal project.
The track combines green steel rail, low-carbon concrete, recycled ballast and renewable biofuelled trains to aid in the reduction of emissions without affecting performance.
The project was led by SRE, Network Rail’s integrated delivery team for the south of England, and saw VolkerRail, SRE’s Track business partner, renew 1,150 yards of track between Honor Oak Park and Forest Hill.
All materials were developed by Network Rail Supply Chain Operations (SCO), with the track welded, stressed and handed back early at line speed.
With materials making up a significant share of the overall carbon footprint in track renewals (90%); the project team worked with Network Rail SCO to implement a number of low-carbon solutions which would work in tandem in a live operational environment.
Developed solutions included green steel rail produced using an electric arc furnace (reducing carbon intensity by 60% when compared with traditional blast furnace steel); low-carbon concrete sleepers (designed to provide a 40% reduction in embodied carbon); recycled blended ballast (allowing for 13% savings in carbon by reducing the need for virgin aggregate); ISCC-certified renewable biofuel; and solar-powered welfare units.
The completion of the project marks the first time all three primary track components have achieved verified carbon reductions on a single renewal in the South of England whilst also using HVO-fuelled trains.
Overall, the project is forecasted to result in a 63% reduction in carbon emissions when compared with the use of baseline materials and transport methods, roughly equating to the annual emissions of around 200 UK households.
The first year of the programme (April 2024 to 2025) saw the SRE achieve a 10.2% reduction in whole-life carbon against the baseline.
Dave Sutton, SRE Track’s Project Lead, noted:This project shows what’s possible when innovation and teamwork come together. It’s the first of many greener renewals we plan to deliver - helping us move steadily toward Network Rail’s net zero goals.
