Tim Brown, managing director of GBR-Rail explains how the company’s Cleartrak innovation, part of BCIMO’s Clean Futures Accelerator Programme, is redefining how the rail network handles wastewater.
For train operators historically, a major operational challenge has been the need for frequent maintenance stops to handle wastewater management and refilling freshwater tanks.
These stops not only remove trains from service but also create logistical bottlenecks, increase costs, and have a negative impact on the environmental. As rail networks expand and journeys grow longer, these inefficiencies threaten to become critical barriers to enhancing network capacity and sustainability.
A smarter approach to train toilet waste processing
At GBR Rail, we are proud have developed the Cleartrak system, an innovative, mobile waste treatment solution designed to revolutionise how trains handle wastewater.
With the support of the Clean Futures Accelerator, Cleartrak is driving forward with its development and testing, marking a significant milestone in sustainable rail innovation.
The Clean Futures Accelerator, based in the West Midlands, is designed to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) like ours in advancing their technologies while contributing to a regional Clean Futures Ecosystem.
For GBR Rail, this has been significant for our ambition to become an industry disruptor in wastewater processing. With £50,000 in funding and access to advanced facilities at the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO), we have been able to undertake critical development stages for Cleartrak.
This commercial and technical support has enabled us to transform Cleartrak from a promising concept into a near-market-ready product, addressing a long-standing challenge in the rail industry: the inefficiency, cost, and environmental impact of traditional Controlled Emission Toilet (CET) systems.
Highly efficient wastewater cleaning and recycling
Cleartrak is a mobile system that cleans and recycles wastewater directly on trains. With our solution, solid waste is converted into dry, pathogen-free biosolids, while water is treated for reuse. By doing so, Cleartrak eliminates the need for frequent trips to maintenance depots for emptying waste tanks and refilling water reservoirs.
This approach offers train operators significant benefits:
- Improved network capacity: Trains equipped with Cleartrak only need servicing four times per year, drastically reducing downtime
- Cost efficiency: Depots can forego expensive CET emptying equipment, reducing infrastructure costs
- Environmental benefits: Cleartrak eliminates methane and other greenhouse gas emissions, reduces the use of freshwater and harmful chemicals, and decreases reliance on traditional sewage systems
- Operational resilience: By creating a closed-loop system, Cleartrak ensures train toilets remain operational throughout journeys, even on long routes
A platform to showcase innovation
The Cleartrak concept initially began development in 2020, before the Coronavirus pandemic brought the industry to a standstill. Following a challenging period, early trials were delayed due to resource constraints, and a test carriage was unexpectedly recalled into service.
The Clean Futures Accelerator has since provided an excellent opportunity for GBR-Rail, providing the resources and facilities we need to move forward with our innovation.
Through partnerships with Chiltern Railways and Angel Trains, we’ve secured a new test carriage, allowing us to showcase Cleartrak’s capabilities in real-world conditions. Demonstrating Cleartrak at the BCIMO’s Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre is a unique opportunity for proving the system’s reliability and efficiency to potential adopters.
Global potential
GBR-Rail’s applications are not limited to the UK. With the rise of electric, hydrogen, and battery-powered trains, the global rail sector is seeking solutions that enhance efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Cleartrak is uniquely positioned to meet these demands, particularly for long-distance routes across Europe, where reducing stops for maintenance is a high priority.
Unlike traditional bioreactor technologies, which rely on frequent water refilling and specialised maintenance equipment, Cleartrak offers a self-sustaining, energy-neutral solution. Our innovation aligns with international carbon net-zero targets and addresses a critical gap in rail infrastructure.
Results from our trials so far have been promising, with the figures indicating the potential for some huge water savings. For example, on a single busy intercity route, Cleartrak could effectively prevent up to 2,500 litres of wastewater from entering the sewage network every single day.
Demonstrating the solution
We are confident that the Clean Futures Accelerator will provide GBR Rail with the tools and momentum to bring Cleartrak closer to market. Our goal is clear: to demonstrate that Cleartrak is the ideal solution for modern rail waste management. By showcasing its benefits in real-world trials, we aim to eliminate the need for time-consuming and costly pilot schemes, ensuring rapid adoption by train operators worldwide.
As water scarcity, environmental regulations, and operational challenges continue to grow, we believe Cleartrak can be the disruptor the industry needs for train toilet waste processing. We’ll be showcasing our solution at a demonstration day at BCIMO in February 2025, and we’re excited to present our drive for sustainability and efficiency to the rail industry.
For more information on Cleatrak visit www.gbr-rail.com/cleartrak.html
