To give you a bit of backstory, we partnered with Craig David to release a brand-new banger called ‘Better Days’ (I Came by Train). A love song for the planet, it helps raise awareness of the environmental benefits of travelling by rail and encourages pride in choosing to travel by train. Did you know cars and planes create 58% of the UK's transport CO2 emissions, whereas the entire rail network adds up to just 1.5%?1
Craig David said about the new song: "Writing this was a real passion project for me as I want to help raise awareness of the impact our choices can have on the environment. Even swapping just one journey from car or plane to train can make a significant difference - it's a no-brainer if you want to do your bit to help towards a better future! Even the smallest things can make a beautiful change."
All aboard! Come on a train journey with Craig and Francis
When we were dreaming up the best possible travel companion for this epic journey, there was no one with better credentials than Francis Bourgeois, a.k.a The Train Guy. It's impossible to think about trains and not associate them with this affable trainspotter who has amassed nearly 55 million likes on TikTok.
The two train aficionados first come together on a British Rail Class 108 DMU BR Derby that was built from 1958 to 1961. Right off the bat, there is a shared affection for this vintage carriage and the bouncy train seats that offer quite the lumbar support. We then get to see the two talk about some of their favourite train journeys in the UK.
Craig reminisces about taking the train with his mum from Southampton to Brixton, where he would go and buy records when he was a kid. "It was the most amazing experience, especially to be with my mum too, so, very fond memories of travelling up on the train." Then we got to hear Francis share his story about travelling along the English Riviera from Paignton to Exeter St David's, "Running along the sea and diving in an out of tunnels", where curious onlookers waved with excitement up at the train.
The making of the 'Better Days' (I Came by Train) music video
The eye-catching music video for 'Better Days' (I Came by Train) was produced and directed by the award-winning Golden Wolf team at Stink Films. Featuring bold, colourful and stylised animation, we see Craig David travelling by train through various landscapes. Ewen Stenhouse, the creative director at Golden Wolf boasts about the project, "We're showing off the world in its most beautiful form!" The stunning visuals help to raise awareness of our planet's climate emergency, which studies have suggested is a vital step in encouraging behavioural change. Plus, Francis lends Craig his lyric-writing skills, which is a must-watch scene!
Swap to train and save the planet one journey at a time
Swapping to train is one of the biggest impacts you can make on your carbon footprint2, and we think that’s pretty amazing. So, join us in moving just one journey a year you would otherwise have taken by car or plane, to rail.
See www.icamebytrain.com/FAQs for the facts
1) Based on UK 2019 domestic emissions calculations as a percentage. Emission calculation for cars reflects total emissions for cars and other road transport. See DfT’s Transport and Environment Statistics 2021 Annual Report (p. 6). See here for more.
Emission calculations based on UK domestic emissions from 2019:
Cars and other road totals 78.2 MtCO2e = 56.8% of total UK domestic emissions for 2019
Planes: total 1.5 MtCO2e = 1.2% of total UK domestic emissions for 2019
Rail: total 1.8 MtCO2e = 1.5% of total UK domestic emissions for 2019
See Department for Transport’s Transport and Environment Statistics 2021 Annual Report (see page 6)
Excel spreadsheet setting out the calculation of the %: https://thetrainline.sharepoint.com/:x:/s/analytics/EQXPBv6b2MJJjMG6MQMtCY4Bnl1BGbyKjFtXFf3aZNvviQ?e=fuoYUa
Taking the train instead of driving creates 67% less CO2 on average: Calculations are based on the following:
Car = average petrol car 0.17363 kg CO2/km / 1.5 (average passenger loading for petrol cars based on DFT statistical data set for vehicle mileage and occupancy) = 0.1157533 kg CO₂/passenger km
Train = National Rail 0.0351 kg CO2/passenger km
Statistics and conversion factors published in the government's greenhouse gas reporting conversion factors, 2 June 2021 and revised in January 2022.
[2] https://www.thetrainline.com/terms/sustainability-faqs