Network Rail’s Test Track Take Centre Stage As Hydrogen Is Delivered By Rail For The First Time
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from GeoPura.
These three paragraphs introduce the story.
Network Rail, working with rail and energy partners Freightliner and GeoPura, has transported hydrogen for the first time on Britain’s rail network, marking a major step forward for both the rail and energy sectors.
The milestone was achieved yesterday (Wednesday 3 December) at Network Rail’s Test Tracks* site in Tuxford, where freight operator Freightliner hauled a train of gas containers from Doncaster to High Marnham – marking Britain’s first shipment of hydrogen by rail.
It was part of a rail and energy industry innovation event showcasing several hydrogen initiatives. This included the first re-engineered hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive – seen as a step towards replacing diesel – another milestone towards the rail industry’s goal of becoming net zero. The event also demonstrated HPU hydrogen-powered generators, lighting towers and support vehicles.
These two paragraphs describe Network Rail’s test track at Tuxford and GeoPura’s hydrogen production facility at High Marnham.
Network Rail’s site at Tuxford runs all the way to High Marnham, where it sits adjacent to HyMarnham Power, the UK’s largest green hydrogen production facility operated by GeoPura and JG Pears. Built on the site of a former coal-fired power station, HyMarnham Power is one of the world’s first rail-connected hydrogen production facilities, and Network Rail’s Tuxford site will be the world’s first net-zero railway testing facility.
Currently, hydrogen is transported by road. This breakthrough marks a major step towards the rail network becoming a ready-made hydrogen distribution system, a rolling pipeline, with connections to all major industrial and urban centres across Britain – proving the practical capability of rail to transport hydrogen at scale. Hydrogen will also be utilised to decarbonise wider rail operations, from construction to ongoing maintenance and off-grid operations.
This OpenRailwayMap shows Tuxford and High Marnham.
Note.
- The blue arrow is Tuxford West junction.
- The North-South red track is the East Coast Main Line. East-West track indicated by the blue arrow is Network Rail’s Test Track
- The grey area, to the South of the Test Track in the East is the former site of High Marnham power station, where GeoPura have their hydrogen facility.
- If you continue East on the Test Track it connects to the Sheffield and Lincoln Line at Pye Wipe junction.
Sheffield could be the sort of city, that would need a lot of hydrogen to decarbonise.
Has Hydrogen Been Transported From ICI’s Former Site At Runcorn By Rail
I ask this question, as I used to work at Runcorn in the 1960s, and I don’t remember seeing any hydrogen railway wagons.
I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this section and received this answer.
Hydrogen is typically transported from the INEOS (formerly ICI) site in Runcorn via pipeline or by road in cryogenic liquid tanker trucks or gaseous tube trailers, but it has not been historically transported by rail from that specific site.
The first ever trial shipment of hydrogen by rail on Britain’s network took place only very recently, in December 2025, as part of an industry innovation event. This trial involved transporting hydrogen containers from Doncaster to High Marnham, adjacent to the HyMarnham Power green hydrogen production facility.
It looks like my memory and Google AI agree.
US Installs 11.7 GW Of Clean Power In Record Q3
The title of this post, is the same as an article on Renewables Now.
Searching for the title of this post on Google AI gives this informative answer.
The United States installed a record 11.7 gigawatts (GW) of new utility-scale clean power capacity in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 14% increase over the same period in 2024. The data comes from the American Clean Power Association’s (ACP) latest “Clean Power Quarterly Market Report”.Key highlights from the report:
- Total Capacity: The 11.7 GW of new capacity includes utility-scale solar, energy storage, and onshore wind projects.
- Storage Surge: Battery storage set a new Q3 record with 4.7 GW installed, ensuring 2025 is on pace to be the biggest year for clean power deployment yet.
- Solar & Wind: Solar accounted for a large portion of new installations, and land-based wind increased 131% over Q3 2024.
- Strong Year Overall: Year-to-date installations reached 30.9 GW, already surpassing the pace of the previous record-setting year of 2024.
Despite the strong performance, the report also warns of future risks due to policy and regulatory uncertainty. Leading indicators, such as power purchase agreements (PPAs), fell significantly year-over-year, which points to potential slowdowns ahead. The full report with underlying datasets is available to ACP members, while a public version can be accessed via the press release on their website.
Sepp Blatter Eviscerates Gianni Infantino Over Trump, Ronaldo And Saudi Arabia
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the Daily Telegraph.
This is the first paragraph.
Sepp Blatter can no longer bring himself to say Gianni Infantino’s name. Instead, the Swiss administrator – who ran Fifa from 1998 to 2015 until he left amid an enormous corruption scandal – refers to Infantino only as “my successor” and “the leader” as he takes his adversary to task ahead of Friday’s World Cup draw.
The article is worth a full read and the video is worth watching.
I’m Watching The World Cup Draw With A Sick Bucket
Here’s the bucket, which is an ideal accompaniment to when Trump appears on television.
Note.
- I have seen a number of American presidents and Trump isn’t even worth rating.
- As Putin and Mohammed bin Salman’s friend and apologist he certainly doesn’t deserve any form of Peace Prize.
- And who was the strumpet in the lizard costume?
- I thought Robbie Williams had more sense than to provide entertainment.
- Who’s this black guy in a red hat?
- Rio Ferdinand seems to be doing a good job.
But then everybody has a realistic price.
I actually suspect, I won’t watch much of the World Cup, as I can find better things too do. I certainly won’t watch any matches, where Trump is present.
Lower Thames Crossing Tunnelling ‘To Begin In 2028’
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
The tunnelling process for the Lower Thames Crossing is due to begin in 2028.
These three paragraphs add more detail to the story.
National Highways said negotiations to buy one of the world’s largest tunnelling machines were now under way.
It would be capable of digging 60 metres below the Thames, creating a new road link between Essex and Kent, and now enables the project to secure private sector investment to deliver the remainder of the construction.
Next summer, work on the northern tunnel entrance where the tunnel machine will begin its journey will get under way.
Hopefully, it’ll all be complete by the early 2030s.
The Elephant In The Garden Of England
This section shows the proposed route of the Lower Thames Crossing.
It as an extract of a previous post called Elizabeth Line To Ebbsfleet Extension Could Cost £3.2 Billion.
It is proposed that the new Lower Thames Crossing is built to the East of Gravesend.
This map from the Department of Transport, shows the route.
Note.
- The new crossing, which is shown in red, bypasses the Dartford Crossing on the M25.
- The A226 runs between Gravesend and Higham via a junction with the new crossing at Chalk.
- Northfleet is to the West of Gravesend.
This Google Map shows the area between Chalk and Higham.
WSMR Resubmits Formal Application To The ORR
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway.
These three paragraphs give full details of the application.
Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway is committed to delivering the connectivity that communities across Wales and England need and deserve. Our resubmitted application reflects stakeholder feedback and demonstrates how we’ve listened to MPs and regional partners who urged us to reapply.
This application differs from our previous submission, which includes us requesting fewer train paths and offering an additional stop at Wellington, enhancing connectivity for people in Shropshire. Furthermore, by making better use of available capacity – including paths that have been released and remain unused – we aim to strengthen regional links and support economic growth.
WSMR’s new open access service will provide faster, more convenient travel options for passengers in Wrexham, Shrewsbury, Wellington, Telford, Walsall and beyond, improving access to jobs, education and leisure opportunities. We remain committed to introducing this service for the regions we serve and delivering benefits for communities along the route.
Note.
£100m ‘Global Players’ Wind Farm Deal To Create 300 Jobs
The title of this post, is the same as this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
A £100m deal which will create about 300 jobs has been agreed between the developers of two Irish Sea offshore wind farms and Belfast Harbour.
These three paragraphs add more detail.
The joint developers of the Mona and Morgan offshore wind farms will lease Belfast Harbour’s D1 terminal for the assembly and preparation of wind turbine components.
Work is being carried out to get the site ready for use from 2028.
Joe O’Neill, chief executive of Belfast Harbour, described it as a “huge deal”, not just for the harbour but for Belfast and the wider region.
Joe O’Neill seems happy with the deal, if you read the full BBC article.
This Google Map shows Belfast Harbour with the D1 Terminal in the centre.
Note.
- The red arrow indicates the D1 Terminal.
- It appears to be within walking distance of Belfast City Airport.
- The harbour is not that far from the city centre.
I would expect, this could be an ideal harbour to prepare wind turbines for erection.
But Where Will The Cruise Ships Dock In Belfast, If The D1 Terminal Is Being Used To Prepare And Assemble Wind Turbines?
Google AI gave this answer to my question!
Cruise ships will dock at a new deepwater berth at Belfast Harbour’s D3 terminal starting with the 2028 cruise season. This new facility is a dual-purpose terminal being built to accommodate both the largest cruise vessels and the assembly and installation of offshore wind turbines.
Note.
- The date fits with the new site for turbine work being ready by 2028.
- The new D3 Terminal will take some of the largest cruise vessels.
- I suspect, it will be able to supply ships with suitable low-carbon fuel, as required.
- Could it also take the very large ships used to install turbines?
- It’s almost as if Belfast Harbour are making an attraction of the turbines.
Google AI gives this overview of the D3 Terminal.
The Belfast Harbour D3 cruise terminal is a new £90 million dual-purpose deepwater quay under construction, designed to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships and support the offshore wind energy industry. Construction on the project, which is Belfast Harbour’s largest-ever investment, began in April 2025 and is expected to be operational for the 2028 cruise season. The facility will include a 340m quay and new terminal building for passengers, and will be converted for cargo handling during the cruise season.
It certainly looks like Belfast is designing a dual-purpose terminal, that will bring the maximum benefit to the city and its people.
Which Offshore Wind Projects Will Use Belfast Harbour?
Google AI gave this answer to my question!
The Mona and Morgan offshore wind farms, being developed by EnBW and JERA Nex bp, will use Belfast Harbour. The port’s D1 terminal will serve as the hub for the assembly and marshalling of wind turbine components for these projects, which are planned for the Irish Sea and are expected to be operational by 2028.
I suspect there will be others.
£1.5 billion Enables UK-US Pair To Get Their Hands On Europe’s Giant LNG Terminal
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Offshore Energy.
This is the sub-heading.
UK-based energy player Centrica and U.S. investment firm Energy Capital Partners (ECP), part of Bridgeport Group, have brought into their fold a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Kent County, United Kingdom.
This paragraph gives Centrica’s view of the Grain LNG Terminal.
The UK firm portrays the terminal as Europe’s largest LNG regasification facility, with a capacity of 15 million tonnes of LNG a year. Located on the UK’s Isle of Grain, the terminal features unloading infrastructure, regasification equipment, and truck-loading facilities.
In a press release, which is entitled Investment in Grain LNG, that was published in August 2025, Centrica said this.
Opportunities for efficiencies to create additional near-term value, and future development options including a combined heat and power plant, bunkering, hydrogen and ammonia.
The tone of the article in Offshore Energy and the press release is unmistakable. – Centrica intend to make good use of their investment.
I suggest you read both documents fully.
- Europe’s largest LNG regasification facility, with a capacity of 15 million tonnes of LNG a year, will certainly need a large combined heat and power plant.
- Will any spare power from the CHP plant, be sent to Germany, through the 1.4 GW NeuConnect interconnector, which should be commissioned by 2028?
- Hydrogen, ammonia and LNG are the three low-carbon fuels used by modern ships, so I suspect hydrogen and ammonia will be produced on the island.
- Centrica are investors in the efficient hydrogen-generation process ; HiiROC.
- Hydrogen and nitrogen are the two feedstocks for ammonia.
Centrica certainly have big plans for the Grain LNG Terminal.
I shall be following Centrica closely.
UK’s ‘Largest’ Floating Solar Farm Given Go-ahead
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
A floating solar farm described as the UK’s largest is to be built in the north of England after planning permission was approved.
These three paragraphs add more details.
The 46,500-panel array will be installed at the Port of Barrow’s Cavendish Dock in Cumbria and will be capable of producing enough energy to power 14,000 homes a year.
It will be built by Associated British Ports (ABP) and will be used to power the area’s advanced manufacturing sector, including submarine-maker BAE Systems.
The company’s divisional port manager Bryan Davies said the solar farm would “drive economic growth” and was a major milestone in the company’s plans to develop Port of Barrow.
This Google Map shows Cavendish Dock in the centre of Barrow-in-Furness.
Note.
- BAe Systems are in the West side of the map.
- It looks like the picture on the BBC article was taken from the East.
- In the picture the Cavendish Causeway runs across the bottom-left Corner.
- The solar array appears to be in the North side of the dock.
The solar array will be an impressive structure, when it is complete.
Manchester To London Train To Run Without Passengers
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
A train service taking commuters from Manchester to London is to run empty for around five months following a decision by the rail regulator.
These three paragraphs add more detail.
A decision by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), means the 07:00 GMT service operated by Avanti West Coast from Manchester Piccadilly to London will still run but will only be used to carry staff from mid-December.
An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said they were “disappointed” with the decision, which would “clearly impact those customers who already use these services”.
An ORR spokesperson said the decision was made on “robust evidence” from Network Rail to guard against possible service disruption on the West Coast Main Line.
It is a long article on the BBC and I suspect, it is one of those, that should be fully-read before commenting.
I looked up last Friday’s service and found this.
- It was an eleven-coach Class 390 train.
- The train goes via Macclesfield, Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford, but only stops to pick up passengers at Stockport.
- It left on time at 07:00.
- It arrived in London at 09:20, which was twenty-one minutes late.
I think, I’ll see this train arrive on Monday.
Could Avanti West Coast Be Planning A Fast Service From Both Liverpool and Manchester?
Consider.
- Manchester Piccadilly has a 07:00 train to Euston, that takes two hours via Stoke-on-Trent.
- The train also stops at Stockport.
- The Manchester Piccadilly train is an eleven-car Class 390 train, that is 265.3 metres long.
- Liverpool Lime Street has a 06:43 train to Euston, that takes two hours and 11 minutes via Crewe, that stops at Runcorn.
- The Liverpool Lime Street train is a seven-car Class 807 train, that is 182 metres long.
Note.
- I wonder, if at some time in the future, these two services could both be run by seven-car Class 807 trains, that joined at Crewe.
- This might not have been possible with Class 390 trains, as the pair of trains would have been very long.
- Class 390 trains may not be able to split and join.
- I don’t think any extra paths would be needed.
This would give Crewe, Liverpool, Manchester, Runcorn and Stockport, a fast early train to Euston.
The Anonymous Widower 