Great Western Railway is progressing trials of its FastCharge battery, with “real world” trials beginning in west London this spring.
GWR says the technology, which can charge trains with up to 2,000kW (eight times more powerful than a Tesla Supercharger, for example), has been in development for three years and uses batteries to provide reliable service. It is said that this problem can be solved. Only trains.
In West Ealing, the train, a former London Underground vehicle, will undergo a real-world trial, charging in just three-and-a-half minutes before resuming its journey on the Greenford branch line.
Battery trains eliminate the need for overhead power lines, which GWR says are expensive and impact the landscape.
GWR says it wants to pave the way for more battery-only trains to run across the UK.
Unlike other charging systems, GWR’s FastCharge technology, which GWR purchased from VivaRail when it began operations, can be installed between running rails in a matter of hours with little or no impact to passengers.
FastCharge uses short charging rails that are completely covered by the train and are only “active” when the train is charging. This is another advantage over Merseyrail as well as the Third Rail system used in London and the South. A network where power rails are always running.
GWR said it was already carrying out simulations on its Thames Valley branch line to explore how a wider rollout might occur in the future.
Test runs have been taking place on the Long Marston Railway Innovation Center (RIC) test track, but the Class 230 battery trains will now be tested on the main line between Long Marston, Evesham, Honeybourne and Moreton-in-Marsh before heading to the GWR. is starting. Read up on TrainCare Depot before moving to West Ealing.
Dr Simon Green, GWR Engineering Director, said: “This work has never been done before and we are leading the charge to help the Department for Transport and Rail understand what is needed to roll out this technology across the UK rail network. I’m here.
“For the first time ever, the combination of battery functionality and charging technology is enabling branch trains to operate on the same timetables as diesel engines, safely and with minimal impact on local power supplies. You can now charge the battery while
“Clearly, our expert engineering team has been working around the clock to ensure this FastCharge system has been fully tested and provides enough charge for trains to run on timetables on the Greenford branch line. I’m here.
“While each branch line is different, this is an incredibly exciting innovation and we are proud that GWR is at the forefront of the railway’s commitment to phase out diesel-only traction by 2040. Masu.”
Rob Cairns, interim regional managing director for Network Rail, said: “This trial is an important milestone in sustainable travel in the UK. Rail is already the greenest form of public transport and battery-powered trains are an important step towards achieving net zero by 2050. It has the potential to play a key role in the journey towards low-emission rail.”
