Byron Bay to get world's first solar-powered train, courtesy of a coal baron

A coal baron is delivering the world's first solar train to Australia.

Heritage meets renewable at Byron Bay's new North Beach Train Station.

And while bringing solar to Byron Bay might be a bit like taking coals to Newcastle, that's just what the Byron Bay Railroad Company is doing.

"I think this is a world first," said John Grimes, chief executive of the Australian Solar Council, which is not connected to the project.

"There is a train in India that has solar panels to power lights and fans, but not a whole train."

Read Marcus Strom’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Byron Bay to get world's first solar-powered train, courtesy of a coal baron.”