Vivarail has been developing proposals to include its modular D-Trains within the next Wales & Borders franchise, which commences in October 2018.
A document has been circulated to all four shortlisted bidders detailing the suitability of the trains - built from refurbished ex-London Underground vehicles - from a performance, emissions and value for money perspective.
Vivarail proposes to offer three-car electric multiple units for use on the Valley Lines. They would run to the outskirts of Cardiff using power obtained from a 25kV overhead supply, before running for approximately 40 minutes using on-board batteries to destinations including Rhymney and Merthyr Tydfil.
This would require short extensions of overhead line equipment to be made from Cardiff Central to the city’s northern suburbs, in order to provide sufficient charge to the lithium ion batteries. However, the proposal would negate the need to electrify the entire Valley Lines.
Vivarail says the first D-Train could be delivered nine months after receipt of an order, and could be fitted with diesel generator sets as an interim measure before being reconfigured at a later date when OLE is installed.
If OLE is never erected, the Long Marston-based company adds that batteries could also be charged from track level charging stations if required.
The three-car D-Trains can reportedly accommodate 404 passengers, are fitted with Wifi and USB sockets, and can be fitted with air-conditioning and a universal access toilet.
The diesel-powered variant of the D-train is already fully certified, while Vivarail anticipates certification for the battery-powered variant in early 2019.
Vivarail Chairman Adrian Shooter told RAIL: “Having spent almost two years talking to a great many stakeholders in Wales, so that we could understand what they really want, we believe that we have a set of proposals which will enable franchise bidders to cost-effectively make major improvements to the quality of many train services in Wales.”
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FrankH - 18/10/2017 09:36
I hope they do manage to sell some D train variants after the effort they've put in to develop it. But I feel they also need 2 and 4 car variants unless being ex tube stock the 3 car is the same length as a 2 car 150 or 156, platform length being this reason. The 4 car bi mode ex class 319's are due to appear in a few months and if they are successful they will be a serious contender.
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AndrewJGwilt1989 - 19/10/2017 02:54
So Electric D-Trains could be classified in the Class 7xx whilst Diesel and Battery D-Trains will still be known as Class 230.
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Paul Harley - 24/11/2017 21:36
A great idea! These are ideal short/medium term Pacer replacements. If a short length of OHLE is installed at Aberdare, Barry Island, Merthyr Tydfil, Penarth, Rhymney and Treherbert, the batteries could be topped up during the turn around.
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