The Environment Agency’s tenth birthday was celebrated in an unique manner on Thursday 7 September at Bristol Temple Meads station, when First Great Western High Speed Train power car No. 43097 was named after the environment watchdog.

Environment Agency Chairman Sir John Harman was invited to unveil the cast nameplate including the Environment Agency’ logo by First Great Western Managing Director Alison Forster in recognition of the agency’s role in managing the effects of climate change and because of its long connection with Bristol where its HQ is based.

“We are committed to showing businesses and organisations how they can reduce their negative effects on the environment by supporting public transport whenever they can,” said Sir John. “This goes hand in hand with our own pledge to halve our transport emissions within five years.”

The ‘Environment Agency’ power car is more environmentally-friendly than its predecessors and is powered by the new MTU 16V 4000 engine, proved in service to deliver exceptional environmental benefits. “It is one of a fleet of 117 power cars which will be fitted with the new engines by the end of 2007. They offer greater efficiency, quieter engines and significantly lower emissions. In turn these will improve performance and reliability for our customers across the south and west of England, the Cotswolds and South Wales,” said First Great Western Managing Director Alison Forster.

First Great Western carries more than 70 million passengers each year between 202 stations. The project to replace its fleet of power cars started in 2002 with the evaluation of several engine types suitable for fitting to its High Speed Trains, with emissions a key success criterion.

Trials started in 2005 with two power cars (43004/009) being re-engined and put into daily service. To date they have delivered more than 10,000 hours reliable running and shown they deliver environmental benefits, including lower emission levels, in line with current European legislation, and with the potential of meeting the next Stage 3a requirements. Environmental benefits include:-
* 15 percent lower fossil fuel consumption with no loss of delivered power.
* Carbon dioxide emissions down 64 percent @ 1.2g/Kw hour
* Nitrogen oxide emissions down 21 percent @ 9.5g/Kw hour
* Hydrocarbon emissions down 46 percent @ 0.75g/Kw hour
* Smoke emissions down 42 percent @ 0.8g/Kw hour
* Particulates down 16 > 75 percent @ 0.25g/Kw hour
* Considerable reduction in lubrication oil consumption equal to 76 percent over existing Valenta engine, with recyclable potential equal to 14.5 tonnes (12,747 litres) per engine year. When the fleet fitment of 117 engines is complete this will equal 1,696 tonnes (1,491,339 litres) per year.
* Increased engine overhaul life from three years to five years, reducing energy requirements to overhaul and parts consumption.
* Reduced vibration levels, improving the driver’s environment.