Train operator c2c is celebrating 60 years of having electric trains on its route.
Coinciding with COP26, it has been six decades since British Rail introduced electric trains, on 7 November 1961. A year later, the last steam engine ran on the lines, and diesel trains on the Ockendon line were subsequently phased out in short order.
c2c says its current fleet of 80 electric trains offer local residents in Essex and east London a greener way to travel; for example, one person travelling between Southend and Fenchurch Street cuts their CO2 emissions by 74% if they take the train rather than drive in a diesel car.
Engineering director for c2c, Jeff Baker, said: “My predecessors from 60 years ago were ahead of their time when they invested in an electric fleet of trains for the rail line we now know as c2c. World leaders are currently discussing environmental issues at the COP26 conference on a global level, but simple steps like taking an electric train instead of driving can help us all make a real difference to our own personal environmental footprint.”
c2c is running a special offer during the COP26 conference to encourage more people to take the train, with 1,000 half-price off-peak tickets available until Friday. More details are available online at www.c2c-online.co.uk/media-centre/latest-news/green-travel-campaign/
