As a frequent rail user between Manchester and London, I use mainly the Virgin Pendolino service, in first class accommodation.

For about 6 years or so I have used the service and was very happy when the Pendolinos came in to service, which made my journey quicker, but what about the improvements from a green perspective?

Here is a list of features that Virgin say are given by the Pendolino trains:

• The trains return power back to the electricity grid each time they brake
• Emit 76% less emissions than the equivalent in car journeys
• Trials with Bio Diesel blend engines

OK, so its not the most informative list, but with the braking returning the electricity back to the national grid, thats the equivalent of saving 2.6b cups of tea a year in brew time – good enough reason alone!

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