A specially adapted former District Line battery-powered train operated by Great Western Railway completed an overnight 200-mile (322km) return route from Reading via London Paddington and Oxford. The train reached 140 miles (225km) on a single charge, surpassing the previous 139-mile (224km) record. The Rail Performance Society monitored the journey and the vice chairman confirmed the train ran the return without external charging, subject to final checks. GWR made the attempt to mark the 200th anniversary of the railways. GWR emphasized investment in battery technology and is evaluating battery trains to replace diesel units over the next seven to ten years.
The Great Western Railway (GWR) train, a specially adapted former District Line train, travelled overnight along a 200-mile (322km) route from Reading and back again via London Paddington and Oxford. It reached 140 miles (225km), breaking the record on Brunel Maidenhead Bridge at about 04:00 BST. The previous record of 139 miles (224km) was set by German train company Stadler Deutschland in Berlin on 10 December 2021.
The Rail Performance Society was on board to verify the record attempt. Vice chairman Nigel Smedley said: "We can confirm that, subject to final checks, the Great Western Railway Class 230 train travelled 200 miles on a return journey from Reading Train Care Depot without charging its batteries from any external energy source."
Great Western Railway (GWR) made the attempt to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of the railways. GWR engineering director Dr Simon Green said: "Today's record attempt has been a bit of fun, but it also underlines a serious point: investment in battery technology is essential as we look to replace our ageing diesel fleet." GWR is exploring if battery trains could replace its diesel fleet as it goes out of service over the next seven to 10 years.
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