
"GWR's experimental battery-powered train, which has been undergoing trials in west London for the past couple of years, could soon take the next step - carrying passengers. The trials used an ex-London Underground train, which had been converted to run on battery power, with a novel fast charger at West Ealing. The aim was to see if a train can reliably run along shorter branch lines if powered by batteries with fast charge top-ups during the day."
"The trials proved to be a success, and a report published by GWR offered insights into the findings so far. Apart from proving that a fleet of battery trains could be used on branch lines where full electrification would not be feasible, GWR also managed to break a world record for the longest trip on a battery train. Although the ex-London Underground train was fitted out for passengers to ensure a realistic test environment, it wasn't really expected to be used in live passenger service."
"Now GWR has confirmed that, given the test train's success to date, they are in discussion with the Department for Transport ( DfT) about what more could be learned if the trial were extended into passenger service. Before that can happen, GWR is seeking limited exemptions from three accessibility regulations that cannot be easily complied with in a train that was built in the 1980s. Similar exemptions have already been granted to other operators using the same class of Vivarail train, making approval likely."
GWR's experimental battery-powered train has completed multi-year trials in west London using a converted ex-London Underground unit charged via a novel fast charger at West Ealing. Tests assessed whether battery propulsion with daytime fast-charge top-ups can reliably operate shorter branch lines and proved successful, including breaking a world record for the longest battery-train trip. The test unit was fitted for passengers to simulate operations, with the strategic goal of replacing ageing diesel trains with zero-emission battery units. GWR is discussing extending trials into live passenger service with the Department for Transport and is seeking limited exemptions from three accessibility regulations due to the 1980s-built train.
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