The Overhead Wire Daily | February 7th, 2024 | Railway Electrification
February 7, 2024
On January 1st 94% of India’s trains have been electrified. In 2015 just 45% of the system had overhead wires, but a dependence on foreign oil imports to power diesel locomotives led the country to move towards 100% electric trains which will happen soon, and a goal of becoming net zero by 2030 is closer to reality.
I would love to see this happen here, but we’re distracted by plans for hydrogen train sets, freight rail companies set in their ways, and a deep dislike of overhead wires. I’m looking forward to seeing what Caltrain’s success looks like after electrification and wonder if that will change minds around the country on reducing emissions without having to carry energy on board.
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