[MarcelGerber]

That's true.

In Germany, Deutsche Bahn boasts that its electric long-distance trains are 100% powered by renewable energy. There are some asterisks to that, but it's still a great thing.

So yes, electrifying lines really has many advantages: * it allows for high-speed trains * it enables trains equipped with regenerative braking * its trains are driving more efficiently (most diesel locomotives actually are diesel-electric, meaning they have a diesel generator powering an electric drivetrain) * it allows the trains to be powered by renewable energy

All these points drive the overall carbon footprint down in one way or another.

[saagarjha]

Plus I would think that they're quieter?

[rsynnott]

MUCH quieter. I occasionally use a diesel commuter train; shockingly noisy compared to the usual electrics.