Great Western Railway has introduced the UK’s first battery-only powered train into passenger service.
The Class 230 train has been used for a successful trial of fast-charge technology on the Greenford branch line over the past 22 months. Up until now, it has undergone rigorous trials.
It has now entered commercial service, with the train making its first appearance on the 0530 departure from West Ealing to Greenford. The train will initially be operated in passenger service on Saturdays, with a view to increasing timetabled services throughout the year as GWR seeks to learn more about how it meets performance expectations.
The train, 230001, is an ex-District Line D78 Stock, now known as the Class 230 stock. 230001 has undergone significant refurbishment and technological updates (as it is a battery-powered unit), with charging shoes installed to collect power at Greenford and West Ealing. During the pauses between services, power from battery containers recharges the battery.
Indeed, this train set had a new World Record for the furthest distance travelled by a battery-electric train on a single charge, registering 200.5 miles and beating Stadler Deutschland’s record of 139 miles set in 2021.
As part of its future rolling stock plans, GWR will need battery trains to routinely cover over 60 miles between charges, with the successful record attempt providing clear evidence that the technology is a viable solution for the UK’s railway.
GWR is currently working closely with the DfT and other train operators to build the best financial case for investment in battery-powered trains.
In Quotes
GWR Engineering Director, Dr Simon Green, said:
“This is a significant moment for all those involved in this innovative project and comes at a crucial time as we focus on plans to replace our ageing diesel fleet.
“Our fast-charge trial has successfully demonstrated that battery technology offers a reliable and efficient alternative to power electric trains, in cases where overhead lines aren’t possible or desirable.
“Delivering the train into passenger service will enable us to gain further insight which can be fed into our own decarbonisation plans, as well as those of the wider rail industry.
“I’d like to congratulate colleagues at Great Western Railway and Network Rail who have worked so hard to make the trial a success and make this next step possible, and also pay tribute to the late Adrian Shooter, whose vision this was.”
Network Rail’s Western route director, Marcus Jones, added:
“We’re delighted to see this record‑breaking battery train move into passenger service, representing a major step forward for sustainable rail travel in Britain.
“I’d like to thank rail industry colleagues who worked collaboratively on this project, including our Network Rail teams who installed the fast-charge battery banks and assisted with the safety reviews to ensure both the train and the infrastructure were ready for the introduction of passenger services. GWR’s fast‑charge trial has shown just how promising this technology is and today marks another important milestone for the industry.
“Rail is already the greenest form of public transport, and battery‑powered trains will play a crucial role in our commitment to a low‑emission railway and ambition to reach net‑zero by 2050. We’re proud to have worked closely with GWR on this innovative project and we look forward to supporting the next phase as the technology is introduced into regular operation.”
Learning lessons beyond the trial
With the trial done and dusted, there is a chance to gather more information and understand the longer-term impact of the solution that they have developed, continuing the work from Vivarail and others as they seek to commercialise the technology, as well as its uses on the national rail network.
GWR published a White Paper in July last year outlining the findings of the trial, which explored how discontinuous fast-charging can be used to support battery-electric trains calling at interim station stops.
It’s certainly an interesting technology, with lots of YouTubers already out having taken a look at it, with Jen On The Move and Green Signals both having sampled this:
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