Toyota To Enter Hydrogen-Powered Car In 2027 Dakar Rally
The title of this post, is the same as that of an article on autosport.
This is the sub-heading.
Toyota will field a fuel cell-powered prototype alongside its regular petrol-engined Hilux in the Dakar.
These two paragraphs add more details.
Toyota’s Gazoo Racing arm has announced plans to field a hydrogen-powered prototype in the 2027 Dakar Rally.
Christened the DKR GR FC Hilux, the car incorporates fuel cell technology into the pick-up that has become the benchmark in the World Rally-Raid Championship.
As someone, who worked in a hydrogen factory in the 1960s, I find this a very positive development for the use of hydrogen.
Lumo Doubles Capacity On Trip From Edinburgh To London
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on the Northern Echo.
This is the sub-heading.
A rail operator Lumo has set a new benchmark for greener intercity rail travel after operating the highest capacity domestic intercity train in the UK and filling every seat
This first paragraph adds more details.
This one-off 10-coach electric service, which ran on July 4 and carried 772 passengers in each direction between Edinburgh, Newcastle and London, saw more than 1,540 people onboard the record-breaking return service.
If you look at the original article, there is a lot more text and two spectacular pictures of the 10-coach train crossing rivers.
Ten-Car Hull Trains
Hull Trains, who are a sister company of Lumo, have been running ten-car trains for some time.
I wrote about them in April 2023 in Ten-Car Hull Trains.
Yellow Ladder Coffee – Whitechapel Station
This is a small coffee shop in the interchange level at Whitechapel station.
I didn’t have time for a coffee as I passed through today, but I will in future.
An Olympia Train Spotted At Whitechapel Station
This morning, as I passed through Whitechapel station, I saw a District Line train going to Olympia, in the Westbound District Line platform.
I would assume that the train went along the Southern side of the Circle Line to Earl’s Court and then on the branch to Kensington (Olympia) station.
If District Line trains are now using this route, it would certainly improve the less-than-perfect access by train to the Olympia Exhibition Centre, that I wrote about in Is This The Fastest Way To Olympia?.
Meet The 6×6 Toyota Hilux Built To Tackle Electric Car Fires
The title of this post, is the same as that as this article on Select Car Leasing.
This is the sub-heading.
A car fire is never a good thing, and if the car is electric, the results could be even worse. If it all goes up in flames while the vehicle is in a multi-storey car park, then the consequences could be dire, with limited space available for fire services to control the situation.
This introductory paragraph adds some more details.
Such incidents happen — more than 1,000 cars were destroyed in a fire in Liverpool, while a multi-storey collapsed in Stavanger — so a UK company has converted a Toyota Hilux pickup into a six-wheel EV fire-fighting machine to keep us all safe.
A lot more details are given on the vehicle’s web site, which is called the 6 x 6 HILOAD.
I was alerted to the need for such a vehicle by this article in The Times, which is entitled How Scotland’s New £30k Fire Engines Left Crews Walking To Wildfires.
The pictures on the 6 x 6 HILOAD web site, show a vehicle with a Czechnia registration.
So, I typed “6 x 6 HILOAD Czechnia” into Google AI and received this answer.
The 6×6 Hiload (developed by Prospeed Motorsport) is a custom, six-wheeled conversion of the Toyota Hilux designed specifically for emergency response, particularly targeting electric vehicle (EV) battery fires.In Czechia, the 6×6 Hiload is undergoing trials with Czech Fire & Rescue Services (Hasiči) to test its capabilities in fast-response and confined environments. Key features of the vehicle in action include:
EV Firefighting: It utilizes specialized equipment like the Coldcut Cobra system, which pierces EV battery casings to extinguish fires directly with a minimal amount of water, reducing the risk of thermal runaway.
Low Profile: Standing at less than 1.9 metres tall, it can easily navigate low-clearance urban underground and multi-storey car parks that traditional, larger fire engines cannot access.
High Payload: The custom six-wheel chassis stretches the Hilux and increases its payload capacity to roughly 3,000kg, allowing it to carry heavy fire and rescue equipment without sacrificing off-road mobility.
This chassis will have more uses than a Swiss army knife.
I suspect the Ukrainians could find several uses.
Cambridge South Station – 29th June 2026
Today, I went to the new Cambridge South Station and took these pictures.
Note.
- Addenbrooke’s Hospital with the chimneys on the roof, is visible in the first few images as you approach the station.
- There are four through platforms, which as they can accommodate 12-car trains are between 240-260 metres long.
- The station has a solar roof.
- The station has a high degree of finish everywhere.
- The station has a thousand parking spaces for bicycles, but onlt five car parking spaces for blue-badge holders.
- Destinations in a typical day include Birmingham New Street, Brighton, Kings Lynn, London King’s Cross, London Liverpool Street, Norwich, Stansted Airport, Stratford
I suspect, this station, will at least be nominated for the Stirling prize.
An Avenue Of Trees, Cheered Me Up Today
I was feeling a bit down, after the loss of my phone on a train yesterday, as I cam back from Cambridge South station.
After reporting its loss at Liverpool Street station this morning, I thought I might be able to get something I needed at Sainsbury’s in Walthamstow.
To get from Walthamstow Central station to Sainsbury’s I walked along this avenue of trees.
Note.
- It was lovely and cool on a hot day.
- There was a gentle breeze through the trees.
- Halfway along, I chatted to a guy with Indian heritage. He said he liked the trees at Chistmas, when the Council put lights on them.Now surely, that is multiculturalism.
I asked Google AI about the trees and got this reply.
The avenue of mature trees leading from Walthamstow Central Station towards the High Street consists of lime trees. Also locally referred to as Lime Tree Walk, these established trees are well known for soaking up pollution from the adjoining bus and transit areas.
Google AI estimates that the trees are at least a hundred years old.
I believe we should do things like this more often, as it is surely a scientifically-correct way to deal with the pollution of only a few vehicles emitting it.
Out of curiosity, I asked Google AI,”Are we doing research to increase the effectiveness of trees clearing pollution?” and received this reply.
Yes, there is extensive, ongoing scientific research dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of trees at clearing pollution. Studies focus on optimizing urban canopy cover, vegetative barrier design, and microbiome/soil enhancements to maximize both particulate matter (PM) capture and carbon sequestration.
Current research initiatives and findings include:
Vegetative Barriers & Species Traits: Research from the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) has developed a plant selection framework. By evaluating traits like leaf hairs, canopy density, and seasonal leaf retention, they identify highly effective species (such as silver birch, elder, and yew) to act as physical green barriers that trap particulate matter and filter exhaust.
Tree Spacing & Dispersion: Studies on urban street canyons show that sparse or dense tree spacing can sometimes trap pollutants if the canopy blocks wind flow. However, “medium spacing” (where the gap between trees is roughly equal to the crown diameter) has been proven to optimize both airflow and particle reduction for pedestrians and cyclists.
Soil & Growth Interventions: Studies like the Glandwr Forest Carbon Study by Imperial College London and The Carbon Community are testing methods to boost young tree growth and carbon sequestration using enhanced rock weathering and microbial enrichment.
Cooling & Air Purification Pathways: Recent findings published in Landscape and Urban Planning highlight that trees reduce particulate pollution (PM10) not just by trapping it on leaves, but also through localized cooling. By mitigating extreme heat, trees promote the natural deposition of suspended particles.
It seems that the good citizens of Walthamstow and the nearby forest, probably achieved a result, that was very much in line with modern research.
Does BYD Stand For Bet On Your Destination?
Today I came back from Walthamstow Sainsbury’s to my home in Hackney, using two BYD electric buses on route W15, a diesel bus on route 488 and a Reliable Routemaster on Route 38.
Both the BYD electric buses stopped short of their final destination.
I also changed early to the 38, so I could have a Diet-Coke in a cafe that looked friendly.
It was!
- As you can see, it was right by a bus stop, where luckily for me, 38 buses called.
- I have written a few posts about the horrid BYD electric buses on route 141, but London shouldn’t be made to suffer an inferior product.
- If Manchester and Leeds can have UK-built buses by Wrightbus, that are delivered as diesel and converted at an appropriate time to zero-carbon, why can’t London and the rest of the country?
London’s fleet of a thousand Routemasters, which were built by Wrightbus, a few years ago, seem to have found a new niche in the world of advertising and I wouldn’t be surprised to see an experimental fleet of zero-carbon Routemasters.
Here’s a few images of Routemaster paint schemes.
I like them. I wonder, if a bus has gone missing to have a special makeover, if England get to the latter stages of the World Cup?
SSE Energy Solutions Powers Ascot’s Shift To Electrification With One Of UK Sport’s Largest Rooftop Solar Projects
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from SSE.
The press release starts with these three bullet points.
- System expected to generate approx. 569,000 kWh of renewable electricity annually, reducing reliance on fossil fuel power
- Installation to supply around 9% of Ascot’s annual electricity needs
- Helps improve energy resilience and cost predictability through on-site generation
These first two paragraphs add more details.
Ascot Racecourse has taken a major step in electrifying its operations with the completion of a large rooftop solar installation, delivered in partnership with SSE Energy Solutions and Ortus Energy. The system, installed across the 480-metre Grandstand roof, includes more than 1,200 solar panels and has a total capacity of 608.04 kWp.
Once fully energised, the project is expected to generate approximately 569,000 kWh of renewable electricity each year. The electricity will be used on site to help power race days, including Royal Ascot, as well as more than 180 non-racing events hosted at the venue annually. By generating electricity at source, Ascot can reduce its reliance on grid electricity generated from fossil fuels and strengthen the resilience of its operations.
The installation will meet around 9% of Ascot’s total annual electricity demand.
I have a few thoughts.
The Scheme Is Delivered Via A Long-Term Power Purchase Agreement
This is the last paragraph of the press release.
Delivered via a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA), the project requires no upfront capital investment from Ascot. SSE Energy Solutions funds the installation, while Ortus Energy designs, installs and operates the system — enabling Ascot to access renewable electricity with long-term price visibility and reduced exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets.
It looks like King Charles III, who owns Ascot racecourse, hasn’t had to put any cash up front.
What Is The Capacity Of Ascot Racecourse?
Google AI said this.
Ascot Racecourse has a maximum race-day capacity of 70,000 guests, which was reduced from 80,000 to manage crowd density and improve the overall customer experience. The venue is divided into several enclosures, each with its own limit to maintain a comfortable environment during premier events like Royal Ascot.
It may be only the third largest horse racing venue in the UK, but it is probably larger than most sports stadiums.
Which Other Stadiums Have Or Plan To Have Solar Panels In The UK?
A quick use of Google AI found these.
- Hampshire Cricket Stadium
- London Stadium
- Principality Stadium
- Queen’s
I suspect this list could grow fairly quickly.
Could SSE Be Using Ascot Racecourse To Sell Solar Roofs?
Consider.
- Ascot racecourse is one of the most prestigious venues in the UK.
- Ascot racecourse has its own dedicated railway station.
- There are twenty-six race days per year.
- Both codes of horse-racing are featured.
- Some meetings are followed by live music.
- I suspect flying drones about the stands to show off the solar panels could be arranged.
- Catering should be top notch.
- Everything for a high-class sales-presentation should be available.
Ascot racecourse could be an ideal venue to sell large solar roofs to owners of sports stadia or other large buildings.
Calls Grow For Direct Trains To New Universal Park
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading
There are growing calls for more train services to run directly to Universal’s planned UK theme park.
These two paragraphs add more details.
West Northamptonshire Council said it had written to the secretary of state for transport to ask that Northampton be included in passenger service plans for East West Rail.
It comes after Northampton South’s Labour MP Mike Reader raised the issue in the House of Commons, warning the current plans meant the town could “miss out on the opportunities” the park brings.
How Will Universal United Kingdom Resort Connect To The Rail System?
I asked Google AI the question above and received this answer.
The proposed Universal United Kingdom Resort near Bedford will connect to the rail system via two primary railway stations:
Wixams Station (Midland Main Line): A two-platform station currently under construction to the east of the site. Universal plans to expand this to four platforms to accommodate high visitor volume, connecting passengers directly to Thameslink services in about 45 minutes from Central London. A dedicated fleet of resort shuttle buses will run between Wixams and the park entrance.
East West Rail Station (Stewartby): A dedicated, purpose-built station is planned directly adjacent to the resort on the western side of the park. This will replace the older Kempston Hardwick station, providing high-capacity, five-carriage trains running between Oxford and Cambridge.
Together, these stations and surrounding road networks—such as the upcoming dedicated slip roads off the A421—will form the East and West Gateway Zones for the resort.
This OpenRailwayMap shows the railways in the are of the Universal United Kingdom Resort.
Note.
- The red track is the Midland Main Line between St. Pancras and Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield.
- The black track is the East-West Rail between Bedford and Oxford when it opens.
- This section of the East-West Rail is shown dashed as it is not finalised yet
- The East-West Rail should eventually connect Oxford and Cambridge.
- The blue arrow indicates Stewartby station.
- The village of Wixams is at the right edge of the map.
If you read the Wikipedia entry for the new Wixams station, you get the impression, that a lot of groups and organisations don’t agree on lots of things about the railway, the theme park and Wixams station.
This second OpenRailwayMap shows the railways between Northampton and Bedford.
Note.
- The red tracks at the left are the West Coast Main Line between Euston and the North.
- The blue arrow indicates Northampton station.
- The red tracks at the right are the Midland Main Line between St. Pancras and the Midlands
- The black tracks connecting the two main lines are East-West Rail.
- The Western end of this section is at Bletchley, where the East-West Rail crosses the West Coast Main Line and also connects to it.
- The Eastern end of this section is at Bedford, where the East-West Rail joins the Midland Main Line through Bedford.
- Milton Keynes station is on the West Coast Main Line, just a few miles North of Bletchley station.
It looks to me, that a train could run between Northampton and Bedford stations, which could stop at Stewartby.
Are Universal United Kingdom Resort Going To Encourage Visitors To Use Rail?
I asked Google AI the question above and received this answer.
Yes, the Universal United Kingdom resort is making extensive plans to encourage and accommodate visitor travel by rail. The upcoming destination near Bedford is heavily integrating public transit into its infrastructure to manage the expected 8.5 million annual visitors.
The resort’s focus on railway accessibility includes several key features:
Dedicated Resort Station: Land has been explicitly reserved for a dedicated railway station directly at the resort on the East West Rail line, which connects Oxford and Cambridge.
Increased Train Frequency: To ensure seamless transportation, the East West Rail service plans to run up to five trains per hour during peak times specifically to cater to theme park visitors once it is fully operational.
Wixams Station Upgrades: A significant portion of a £1.3 billion government investment package is being utilized to construct and expand the nearby Wixams Railway Station, creating robust links along the Midland Mainline.
Initial Bus & Marston Vale Services: For the opening window of the park, Universal is setting up dedicated bus connections (such as from Milton Keynes) alongside existing local Marston Vale line options as full East West Rail expansions are completed.
Note how this question got slightly different answers to my original question, but they don’t conflict with each other.
I do find though with AI, that the more questions you ask and the more you refine those questions, the better answers you obtain.
But surely that is to be expected. Or at least hoped for!
Will Universal United Kingdom Resort Be Attracting Overseas Visitors?
I asked Google AI the question above and received this answer.
Yes, the Universal United Kingdom Resort will be a major draw for international tourists. Projections estimate that the park will attract well over one million overseas visitors annually, serving as a catalyst to boost Britain’s global visitor economy.
The resort’s target demographic is explicitly designed to tap into international travel markets:
International Forecasts: Tourism officials and developers project that up to one-third (30%) of all visitors in its opening year will be from overseas, with projections shifting toward a 40% to 50% international mix as the resort matures.
Global Location: As the only Universal-branded theme park in Europe, it will be highly accessible to travelers arriving through London’s major international airports and rail hubs.
Economic Boost: Because of this anticipated influx, the UK Government is backing the Universal United Kingdom Resort with £1.3 billion for strategic road and rail upgrades. This includes enhancing connectivity on the A421 and at Wixams train station to seamlessly transport international visitors directly to the Bedfordshire site.
Will Universal United Kingdom Resort Be Attracting Visitors From Scotland?
I asked Google AI the question above and received this answer.
Yes, the Universal United Kingdom Resort in Bedfordshire is expected to be a major draw for visitors from Scotland. As the first Universal-branded theme park in Europe, it is designed as a destination resort meant to attract millions of tourists annually from across the UK and the wider continent.
The projected 8.5 million annual visitors will be drawn from all over, driven by several key factors:
High-Speed Connectivity: Situated in Kempston, Bedfordshire, the resort is roughly 50 miles north of London. Scottish travelers can easily access it by taking direct train routes (e.g., LNER or Avanti West Coast) from Edinburgh and Glasgow to London Kings Cross or St Pancras, then catching connecting trains to Bedford in under an hour. Alternatively, direct flights into London Luton Airport place visitors within a very short distance of the park.
National Draw: Because it is the only destination of its kind in the UK, it is being positioned as a “must-visit” national tourist attraction, capturing a large domestic market extending well beyond the southeast of England.
I believe that travelling between Universal United Kingdom Resort and Scotland by rail could be improved significantly, if the following were to be done.
- Fit batteries to the Class 810 trains run by East Midlands Railway, so they could run between St. Pancras and Sheffield stations without using diesel. This in itself, would probably attract more passengers.
- I believe that little or no electrification would need to be added, so that Sheffield could be an all electric and probably faster, trip from London or Universal United Kingdom Resort.
- The battery-electric trains would need to be charged at Sheffield, but why not do this at Doncaster station, which is a station with copious electrification.
- Extending the Sheffield services to Doncaster would also allow LNER passengers between Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Newcastle and Derby or Universal United Kingdom Resort, to do the trip with a single cross-platform change at Doncaster between two almost identical Hitachi trains.
- Sadly, the Midland Main Line has suffered a tragic accident this week. Were passengers going between Scotland and say Luton Airport inconvenienced? I believe that linking the two London services together at Doncaster, would have advantages for passengers, operators and Network Rail. Especially, when engineering works are scheduled!
I talk about using battery-electric trains to fully electrify the Midland Main Line in Could Electric Trains Run Between St. Pancras International and Sheffield Stations With No More Electrification?
The Anonymous Widower 