Ground-breaking engineering developments are coming out of the old Dudley rail tunnel in the form of the brand new and revolutionary VLR (very Light Rail) tram system. 

The old rail tunnel in the centre of Dudley UK, lying dormant for 60 years, has now been restored as a test-track for this lightweight, low-cost, EV tram with on-route induction charging. The project involves construction of a National Innovation Centre, for which Government funding of nearly half the £28 million budget has been granted, to house R&D of this world-first innovation which is a joint venture between University of Warwick and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council.

I've been involved in providing tunnel ventilation for the duration of the restoration, along with background air quality monitoring, personal exposure monitoring and diesel exhaust abatement. We carried out trials of Green D+ HVO fuel which were very successful in reducing emissions and the site switched from gas oil to HVO for use in the tunnel.

See here for more information on the VLR project VLRNIC | Very Light Rail.