Time for Amtrak to ratchet up green credentials?

[jamesontheroad]

Thought I'd post some examples of a growing trend over here in Europe. Rail operators are increasingly taking the initiative and and riding the growing popular preference for environmentally friendly travel and responsible purchasing choices in the publicity and marketing. Amtrak would seem ideally placed to push this aspect of their services; especially in the north-east corridor but perhaps elsewhere.

Here are some of the more interesting online examples... how could Amtrak properly push their sustainable advantage over the plane or car?

Virgin Trains (UK):

http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/gogreener/default.aspx

(note the shameless use of cutesy-wutesy bunny wabbits)

Eurostar (UK, FR, BE):

http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/trav...en_Eurostar.jsp

SNCF's Eco-comparateur (in French only, allows you to compare the price and environmental cost of plane/train/car)

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/dynamic/_SvTer...ator_wishes.jsp

*j* :blink:

 

[Swede]

Thought I'd post some examples of a growing trend over here in Europe. Rail operators are increasingly taking the initiative and and riding the growing popular preference for environmentally friendly travel and responsible purchasing choices in the publicity and marketing. Amtrak would seem ideally placed to push this aspect of their services; especially in the north-east corridor but perhaps elsewhere.
Here are some of the more interesting online examples... how could Amtrak properly push their sustainable advantage over the plane or car?

Virgin Trains (UK):

http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/gogreener/default.aspx

(note the shameless use of cutesy-wutesy bunny wabbits)

Eurostar (UK, FR, BE):

http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/trav...en_Eurostar.jsp

SNCF's Eco-comparateur (in French only, allows you to compare the price and environmental cost of plane/train/car)

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/dynamic/_SvTer...ator_wishes.jsp

*j* :blink:

It's a good idea, and the swedish operators do it here as well. However, for rail to be really environmentally friendly, it should be electrically powered, not diesel powered. So for the NEC it would work, but otherwise I'm doubtful.

 

[rmgreenesq]

Thought I'd post some examples of a growing trend over here in Europe. Rail operators are increasingly taking the initiative and and riding the growing popular preference for environmentally friendly travel and responsible purchasing choices in the publicity and marketing. Amtrak would seem ideally placed to push this aspect of their services; especially in the north-east corridor but perhaps elsewhere.
Here are some of the more interesting online examples... how could Amtrak properly push their sustainable advantage over the plane or car?

Virgin Trains (UK):

http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/gogreener/default.aspx

(note the shameless use of cutesy-wutesy bunny wabbits)

Eurostar (UK, FR, BE):

http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/trav...en_Eurostar.jsp

SNCF's Eco-comparateur (in French only, allows you to compare the price and environmental cost of plane/train/car)

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/dynamic/_SvTer...ator_wishes.jsp

*j* :blink:

Amtrak did/does have an ad campaign featuring the "greenness" of the train. I never saw this anywhere other than amtrak.com. Perhaps it got some play in environmentalist publications. Maybe not.

Rick

 

[battalion51]

It's a good idea, and the swedish operators do it here as well. However, for rail to be really environmentally friendly, it should be electrically powered, not diesel powered. So for the NEC it would work, but otherwise I'm doubtful.

Well even diesel powered rail is more environmentally friendly than driving or flying. I don't know where the data on it is, but a diesel powered train uses far fewer BTU's per person per mile than a plane or car (when the numbers are comparable, i.e. 300 on a plane, train, and 300 cars).

 

[Guest]

It's a good idea, and the swedish operators do it here as well. However, for rail to be really environmentally friendly, it should be electrically powered, not diesel powered. So for the NEC it would work, but otherwise I'm doubtful.

Well even diesel powered rail is more environmentally friendly than driving or flying. I don't know where the data on it is, but a diesel powered train uses far fewer BTU's per person per mile than a plane or car (when the numbers are comparable, i.e. 300 on a plane, train, and 300 cars).

Its always more efficient to move lots of people on one power source.

Here on the NEC it is not uncommon for people to prefer training to driving or flying. The environment is one aspect.