Trial finds battery trains could replace diesel trains

GWR's battery-powered train trial branded a success

UK train operator Great Western Railway (GWR) has finished a year-long trial covering the viability of fast-charging battery trains, with the results showing that such a setup is possible. The trial comes at an important moment for the UK’s rail industry, as the fleets of GWR and other operators, which contain a significant proportion of ageing diesel units, are coming to the end of their serviceable lives. Replacing these units with fast-chargi…

Trial finds battery trains could replace diesel trains

Great Western Railway has published a report to outline the success it has had in its fast-charge battery train trial.

GWR’s battery trains trials could bring big benefits to small lines

Fast charging battery-powered trains took a step closer to running on the railways after a report into west London trials found they work, and work rather well in fact. The trials have been carried out by GWR using a converted old District line train once owned by Vivarail and fitted with large rechargeable batteries. The key innovation has been the fast charger, which sits on the tracks at West Ealing station, allowing the battery to be topped …