Train with fuel from soybean and rapeseed seeds

South West Trains train company tested a ship with mixed fuel made of soybean seeds, rapeseed and diesel, because they wanted to test an alternative energy source.

Yesterday 12 August, the passengers who took the train from Exeter to Waterloo at 7:00 am arrived on this test ship.

A South West Trains spokesman said the experiment comes from the perception that fossil fuels are finite and that they are looking for alternative sources of fuel.

Running this test train will continue until the end of the year, but early signs show that they have succeeded. The ship will operate on the Exeter - Waterloo service and consume 1,100 liters of fuel per day.

The train runs on Exeter - Waterloo route.

The spokesman also said the new fuel did not harm the engine, nor did it affect the operation of the ship. He confirmed that the train passengers will not notice the difference.

First Great Western Railway Company is also turning one of its diesel-powered ships into biofuel. Other railway companies are waiting for the final test results and may change fuel trains.

However, the use of biofuels is causing concern in the United States, because some people claim, the cost of developing alternative fuels is too expensive, making it impossible to implement on a large scale, despite employment. This is beneficial for the environment to reduce greenhouse gases.

The test step was led by the Association of Train Operators.

Hassard Stacpoole - an association member - said they are conducting some tests. Their goal is to know whether biofuels improve gas emissions, whether they are sustainable and, of course, reduce costs.

Mr. Stacpoole added: 'There will be no change if it costs more.'