Vivarail intends to show off a new design of battery-powered zero-emission Class 230 unit at next month’s COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow.
The unit can reach speeds of 80mph and recharge in just ten minutes. A fast-proving trial is being organised to enable the three-car set to make daily demonstration runs between Glasgow Central and Barrhead between November 1-5 and November 8-11, to display its capabilities to invited guests.
Although neither the full technical specification nor its livery has been revealed before it sees daylight, the ‘230’ was due to head for Scotland in mid-October (after this issue of RAIL went to press) for its first public view.
As part of the spirit of collaboration across the rail industry for the COP26 summit, Vivarail has been helped by SLC Operations, Alstom and VTG with the supply of drivers, electrical charging and transport.
The prototype, which the company admits may not go into full production, is a collaboration with Network Rail and features three new-design batteries in each leading car instead of the conventional two. The project has been part-financed by an Innovate UK grant.
To read the full story, see RAIL 942.
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Arthur Ruminant - 08/10/2021 18:50
This is exactly the kind of thinking, enablement, and practical engineering required to help our railway achieve reduced emissions. 80 mph is very good, and with fast charging it makes it a realistic train for a metro service. Replacement of the ageing 150s…a Bristol metro for example?
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Mike O'Neill - 09/10/2021 03:58
Not that any of the COP people would ever use one of these trains in regular service. That's what chauffeur-driven cars are for . . .
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Cliff Beeton - 17/10/2021 16:19
Whats the betting that its taken from Long Marston to Glasgow by ROAD ? But what do you expect at a green conference where everyone jets in and then preaches to everyone their "green" adjenda.They are all hypocrites .
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simhedges - 24/10/2021 23:44
I don't know how feasible it is to get an 80mph electric train up to Glasgow, without disrupting traffic on the WCML. As for everyone jetting in, how do you propose people get there from Asia, or Africa or Australia, or the Americas? Some would be able to travel in by train from Europe of course. Of course they could all attend virtually, but that is likely to be significantly less successful in agreeing goals, than when people are physically present.
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JONATHAN PORTER - 20/10/2021 09:40
Has somebody confused 80 mph with 80 mile range? Some doubt around that this is factual. Have Vivarail uprated the bogies?
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simhedges - 24/10/2021 23:41
The range is 150km, so just over 90 miles from a 10 minute charge.
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Steve Alston - 31/10/2021 01:09
Of note, Avanti has pulled all the 11-cars off the already busy Manchesters, to send to Glasgow - also removing anything diesel going north of the border, leaving the rest of the network in a ram-packed shambles over the last couple of days.
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