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Eco Express train unveiled in York
Competition winner Sophie English, ten, unveils the Eco Express alongside John Smith, managing director of GB Railfreight, and Drax chief executive Dorothy Thompson.
A LOCOMOTIVE that will deliver eco-friendly material to Drax Power Station has been unveiled at the National Railway Museum in York.
The Eco Express will transport renewable and sustainable biomass material from the Port of Tyne in South Shields to the power station near Selby.
Its name was chosen by ten-year-old Sophie English, who won a children’s competition at the Great Yorkshire Show.
The youngster, of Asquith, near Ilkley, came up with the moniker because she liked the sound of eco for environment and express for train.
The unveiling of the class 66 locomotive, number 66734, in York was a celebration of a partnership of delivering renewable energy between GB Railfreight (GBRf) and Drax Power Limited.
John Smith, who is managing director of GBRf, said: “I am very pleased to name this locomotive The Eco Express and congratulate Sophie on her competition win.
“This naming further underlines our partnership with Drax.”
Dorothy Thompson, chief executive at Drax, added: “Our partnership with GBRf and the naming of this locomotive by Sophie English demonstrates our joint commitment to strong, efficient rail links and a low carbon future.”
For the past nine years, Drax has been working to source sustainable biomass and increase the amount burnt at the power station in place of coal.
Mrs Thompson said: “We are in no doubt that sustainable biomass is vital in helping to deliver the country’s 2020 climate change targets.”
GBRf currently moves 500,000 tonnes of biomass fuel from the Port of Tyne to Drax, where it is burnt to produce low carbon, cost effective electricity.
The company’s biomass business helped it pick up the top prize for Freight and Logistics Achievement at the National Rail Awards 2011.
Drax Power Station is the largest single source of renewable power in the UK. It is aiming to transform itself into a predominantly renewable generator. It currently produces about seven per-cent of the UK’s renewable power.
Meanwhile, on its way to making deliveries to Drax, The Eco Express will pass by the National Railway Museum. Just like Drax Power Station does, which is another locomotive that was named by GBRf.
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Weather for Selby
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
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