Sustainable travel news vol. 12

Welcome to our 12th sustainable travel roundup, created in collaboration with Flight Free UK, where we share some of the most recent updates, news, and developments shaping the future of eco-friendly travel.

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1. Essex railway to welcome electric steam locomotive

The Audley End Enchanted Railway, in Essex, are introducing a fully electric steam outline locomotive to join Electra, their other electric locomotive. The new locomotive, which the railway says is first of its kind in the UK, looks and sounds like a steam locomotive, but runs fully on electricity.

Find out more on the Rail Advent website.

2. Record-breaking battery train introduced into passenger service

Great Western Railway introduced the UK’s first battery-only powered train into passenger service on Saturday 31 January. The Class 230 train has been used for a successful trial of fast-charge technology on the Greenford branch line over the past 22 months.

Last year the train set a new World Record for the furthest distance travelled by a battery-electric train on a single charge, registering 200.5 miles and beating Stadler Deutschland’s record of 139 miles set in 2021.

Find out more on the Rail UK website.

3. Trams set to run through city park again in 2026

Manchester City Council has approved money for the restoration of the 1901 Heaton Park tramway, which has been out of action for a year as the electrical substation that powers it needed a safety overhaul. The upgrade should see the tramway restart in spring 2026, in time for its 125th anniversary.

Find out more on the BBC website. 

4. New community bus offers villagers independence

A new community bus service is helping to give residents of a Cornwall village independence and a chance to socialise. The Saltash Red Bus will shuttle residents of St Dominic in the Tamar Valley to and from the town every Thursday morning.

Resident Liz said the service meant "a lot because I'm not driving any more" and she said it had returned her independence as well as being "nice to meet up with a few people".

Find out more on the BBC website. 

5. New Malmö–Oslo rail route along Sweden’s west coast

A new train link between Norway and Sweden is launching in early summer 2026, offering passengers an on-board restaurant car and beautiful coastal views. Swedish rail firm Snälltåget is behind the initiative, which promises access not only to the Norwegian capital but also to Sweden’s scenic west coast from 15 June 2026. 

Stops will include the medieval city of Lund, one of Sweden’s oldest cities, as well as Helsingborg, Halmstad, the seaside resort town of Varberg, and Trollhättan, near Sweden’s largest lake, Vänern.

Find out more on the Travel Tomorrow website.

6. Azerbaijan opens new train service to mountain town

Azerbaijan Railways has launched a new train route connecting the country’s second-largest city, Ganja, to the ski resort town of Gabala. The connection marks the second regional train service outside the capital city of Baku.

Previously, tourists and locals wanting to visit the mountain town of Gabala had to rely on buses and cars to do so. The new route covers approximately 139 kilometres and takes one hour and 50 minutes to complete.

Find out more on the Travel Tomorrow website.

7. Cross-border train between Tanzania and Zambia resumes service

Passenger train services between Tanzania and Zambia resumed this month after being disrupted due to operational and technical problems since June 2024 on the 1,860-km-long, single-track line. 

The service will operate once a week in each direction and train expert The Man in Seat 61 has described the journey as “a great adventure”.

Find out more on the Travel Tomorrow website.

8. Town's first electric bus fleet comes into service

Reading Buses has unveiled its first ever all-electric fleet. The 24 new vehicles were presented at Great Knollys Street depot, where new charging infrastructure has also been installed.

The vehicles can be charged overnight in three hours using the fast charge function or they can charge two buses in six and a half hours, and once charged they can then run all day.

Find out more on the BBC website.

9. New luxury train connects Osaka with UNESCO listed Mount Kōya

A new luxury sightseeing train connecting Osaka to a UNESCO-listed sacred mountain will launch on 24 April 2026. The 90-minute journey will begin in the heart of Osaka and culminate in a spectacular 20-kilometre ascent through 24 tunnels as the train climbs towards the sacred peaks, offering panoramic views of lush, forested hills.

Find out more on the Travel Tomorrow website.

10. First major work begins to electrify the Borders Railway

Network Rail has begun the first stage of electrification on the Borders Railway. The work follows the Scottish Government’s announcement in September last year of a £342m investment to electrify routes in Fife and the Borders and introduce new battery‑electric trains. 

Electrification will help cut carbon emissions, improve air quality, enhance the passenger experience and reduce operating costs.

Find out more on the Network Rail website.

By Eveline Vouillemin ©