GWR's New Battery Powered Train

You've got a fast charge, I want a ticket to go anywhere (as long as it’s on the Greenford branch).

[ocphish]

"Current test runs", "Potential", "Electrification", Jago, you are a wizard wordsmith.

[eftalanquest]

the third rail seems to be a visually cleaner solution than what we do here in germany. our battery trains are basically normal emu's with an extra battery pack and are therefore charged with a length of overhead wire put up for that purpose

[DanQuine]

Excellent analysis of a very interesting development. And I appreciated the shout out for the late, great Adrian Shooter, a true railway innovator.

[charlesphillips]

The concept I have long wanted is battery trains on routes that are partially electrified, e.g. Reading to Redhill. The train could charge when running on electrified sections, then use battery on the non electrified sections. No new infrastructure and no fast-charging required.

[PJWey]

So pleased to see this after following for many years, this is a wonderful piece of reuse and upgrades on traffic

[melodymonger]

I was a spotty school kid when the D78 trains were introduced on the District line. They seemed like space age technology after the 1930s CP stock. Imagine bare aluminium trains with straight sides 😃 and buttons for passengers to open the doors 🤩. Wow! I loved them 😀.

[defender]

Thank you, that's a good solution for branch lines, like Slough - Windsor, Maidenhead - Bourne End - Marlow etc.
I also like/love the fact that these are repurposed Tube trains and really hope that the technology is transferable to 'heritage' rail stock so that it can enjoy a new/second life for coming generations to enjoy?!
I'm sure that Mr I. K. Brunel would approve, he was great at thinking 'outside the box', but with his feet firmly on the ground, just look at the legacy he's left us!

[sandycheeks]

Notes. Many new batteries don’t contain and RE materials like lithium or cobalt. They’re just heavier as a result. Not so much an issue on a train. Battery / electric trains can add power to their battery or the grid through braking, which diesels waste. Managed correctly, a battery can last a very very long time. Electricity, particularly that charged at off peak times, like these will be from their fixed line side battery will generally use stored energy farmed through sustainable sources.

[bmarko]

I saw that parked in West Ealing sidings at the weekend, it’s perfect for these little branch lines.

[robertcox]

Not dissimilar to the light rail in Newcastle (Australia) where the trams are battery powered and recharge during stops with an overhead bar which the pantograph connects to, topping up the battery.

[grahampaulkendrick]

What an excellent concept! Thanks for the video.

[RoccondilRinon]

I remember riding a tram in Nanjing about ten years ago that used a similar system of charging onboard batteries at stops.

[tDASH]

i'd love to see such a battery powering system in combination with the already existing third rail network(s) in the uk. that would open possibilities for completely new lines!

[aubreydavis]

Interesting. I immediately thought of the Epping Ongar line when I first saw this train on the news.

[Lego]

Some amazing shots. Well done Jaganonies!

[disgust]

Surely it would be a good idea to have one of these charging points at a few of the stations so that if there is a "delay" or an unexpected low power situation, they can top up instead of blocking the line.

[tomconneely]

Be good down our way, especially on the Severn Beach Line or on the proposed spur to Gravity when that's finished.

[DarthCoco]

I like that they're testing it on this short branch. I have liked the diversity of front designs for this branch/GWRs.

Indeed, that first battery-powered locomotive was Stafford in TTTE.

I am quite fascinated for the old district line train, refurbished.

[Skasaha_]

There's quite a few examples of this in Japan, some of which I went out of my way to ride on. It's definitely an ideal solution to keep branch lines open for the social benefits and keeping costs down, yet without significant drawbacks.

[danielgoosen]

I really think this idea is one of the greatest in railway history. Even though I’m from Australia, I really do think this technology could work on many branch lines like the looe valley line and even some lines in east anglia. Great work on covering the content Jago I love your work.