Delegates attending COP26 and passengers travelling through Glasgow Central railway station will be welcomed by a campaign highlighting rail’s green credentials.
From Tuesday 2 November until Friday 12 November, visitors will be able to experience driving a train in a simulator when visiting the Rail Delivery Group’s green and sustainable stand, located on the station concourse.
Visitors can go inside the visually stunning moss-covered carriage and be in the driving seat of an electric Class 314 train. The simulated train journey between Pollockshields East and Glasgow Central station will give people the opportunity to experience what it is like to drive an electric train and pit themselves against other people on RDG’s interactive train driving experience – with points calculated via the stopping accuracy and time taken for each competitor to safely complete the virtual journey.
Visitors to the stand can learn more about the rail industry’s ‘We Mean Green’ campaign, co-ordinated by the Rail Delivery Group, as rail companies bring home the message of how getting people and goods onto trains and off roads will help in the fight against climate change.
- A single train removes up to 500 cars off our roads
- Every freight train removes on average 76 lorries from our roads
- Leaving your car at home and taking the train cuts carbon emissions by two thirds
As extreme weather becomes more frequent, the rail industry is working to make the network more resilient while encouraging more people onto trains to benefit the environment.
Andy Bagnall, Director General of the Rail Delivery Group, said:
“With the eyes of the world on COP26, it’s crucial we highlight the vital role that rail must play in achieving net zero by 2050. While rail accounts for 10% of journeys, it is responsible for just 1% of transport emissions. Our message is simple – travelling or transporting goods by train is a quick and easy way for people and businesses to go green and cut their carbon footprint.”
Following damage caused by intense storms over the weekend, Network Rail and train operators have worked together to keep people moving and services resumed yesterday morning (Monday 1 November) out of London Euston and London King’s Cross. The rail industry is asking people to check before they travel and to claim compensation if they have been affected by the disruption.
Photo credit: Rail Delivery Group
