A South Western Railway diesel unit in Portsmouth, UK. Credit: Geof Sheppard.

Rolling stock asset management company Porterbrook is set to trial new technology to reduce emissions from diesel-powered trains in the UK.

The company is working with exhaust manufacturer Eminox on a catalyst called SCRT technology. The partnership aims to slash nitrous oxide emissions by more than 80%, and carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons emissions by around 90% compared to current levels.

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Porterbrook CEO Mary Grant said: “As a rolling stock asset management business, Porterbrook takes seriously its responsibility to develop innovative ways of reducing emissions. We are particularly pleased to be able to do this by drawing on proven technologies from other sectors.

“Porterbrook believes by partnering with automotive after-treatment specialists, Eminox, we can accelerate the delivery of cleaner and more environmentally friendly trains to Britain’s railways.”

"This is part of the government’s drive to a cleaner, greener economy by cutting emissions and removing diesel-only trains."

The initiative is supported by the Department for Transport through InnovateUK’s first-of-a-kind funding.

During the trials, the Eminox SCRT technology will be fitted onto a South Western Railway (SWR) Class 159 diesel multiple unit.

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Additionally, the vehicle will be equipped with telemetry technology to procure real-time diagnostics and performance data.

If successful, the technology may be installed in existing operational train fleets across British railway.

Eminox retrofit sales director Carlos Vicente said: “We have taken our 20 years’ experience of on-road retrofit technology into the rail market so operators can utilise the best available technology to mitigate for the growing number of Clean Air Zones, across the UK.

“Eminox retrofit technology will help reduce diesel particulate matter from the rail network and deliver environmental benefits to the communities the railway serves.

“This is part of the government’s drive to a cleaner, greener economy by cutting emissions and removing diesel-only trains from the network by 2040.”