Vivarail chosen for fast charging trial on the Greenford branch

[whole diary]

[Noggin]

I'd imagine that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have a plan to use the battery electrics for Henley/Marlow/Windsor and perhaps Basingstoke branches where they can be maintained in Reading, but will play it safe before they go public.

As for further west, seems more likely that GWR will muddle through until Project Churchward replaces the DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) rolling-stock en-masse.

[anthony215]

I'd imagine that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have a plan to use the battery electrics for Henley/Marlow/Windsor and perhaps Basingstoke branches where they can be maintained in Reading, but will play it safe before they go public.

As for further west, seems more likely that GWR will muddle through until Project Churchward replaces the DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) rolling-stock en-masse.

Class 175s are supposed to be coming.ing to GWR.

Plan was 2 carriage 175s on Okehampton, 3 carriage 175s on Barnstaple with 2 and 3 carriages working together on  penzance to Plymouth  and Exeter services allowing last castle hsts to go as well as freeing up class 150/2's for Devon.and Cornwall metro and 158s to boost the Cardiff to Portsmouth hbr service

[REVUpminster]

I'd imagine that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have a plan to use the battery electrics for Henley/Marlow/Windsor and perhaps Basingstoke branches where they can be maintained in Reading, but will play it safe before they go public.

As for further west, seems more likely that GWR will muddle through until Project Churchward replaces the DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) rolling-stock en-masse.

Class 175s are supposed to be coming.ing to GWR.

Plan was 2 carriage 175s on Okehampton, 3 carriage 175s on Barnstaple with 2 and 3 carriages working together on  penzance to Plymouth  and Exeter services allowing last castle hsts to go as well as freeing up class 150/2's for Devon.and Cornwall metro and 158s to boost the Cardiff to Portsmouth hbr service

Sounds logical as Exeter depot can only really handle 2/3 car units. They would be used to the single leaf doors which are not ideal on the metro trains.

[stuving]

230001 has made it to Greenford! RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) can't confirm that, as Greenford East is not only a mechanical box but still has semaphores (though not on the GFD-WEA route). However, there are not many valid ways of getting from P1 to P2 at South Greenford.

This morning's run was just a final "make sure it fits" run, and the fast charging kit isn't in operation yet. This afternoon's run was cancelled, as it's been graffitied and needs more cleaning (its duties involve having its picture took for PR^▸ (Public Relations) - assuming it all works!).

The move from Reading took place on Tuesday, and it's being kept at the end of one of the sidings that 387s stable in. Getting from there onto the branch is a bit convoluted, involving going out to Hanwell Bridge Loop to reverse. Getting back from WEA P5 is even worse, unless it uses P4 to reverse. So near and yet so far ...

[Electric train]

230001 has made it to Greenford! RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) can't confirm that, as Greenford East is not only a mechanical box but still has semaphores (though not on the GFD-WEA route). However, there are not many valid ways of getting from P1 to P2 at South Greenford.

This morning's run was just a final "make sure it fits" run, and the fast charging kit isn't in operation yet. This afternoon's run was cancelled, as it's been graffitied and needs more cleaning (its duties involve having its picture took for PR^▸ (Public Relations) - assuming it all works!).

The move from Reading took place on Tuesday, and it's being kept at the end of one of the sidings that 387s stable in. Getting from there onto the branch is a bit convoluted, involving going out to Hanwell Bridge Loop to reverse. Getting back from WEA P5 is even worse, unless it uses P4 to reverse. So near and yet so far ...

I did see it at West Ealing stabling sidings on Wednesday, I would think the normal move will be into Plat 4 and reverse.   Platform 5 the old Milk Sidings 

The real test for the 230's will be on the Maidenhead - Bourne End line with the gradient in the wet out of Furze Platt towards Maidenhead.

One, slightly off topic, observation is the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) green livery seems to suit any of the rolling stock its applied to

[GBM]

Roger French not so impressed with the 230's
https://busandtrainuser.com/2024/05/09/are-class-230s-worth-all-the-hassle/
Rail companies which bought into the Vivarail idea of refurbished London Underground D78 stock becoming diesel/battery Class 230 and electric Class 484 trains in their new guise haven’t had a lot of luck with their purchases.
........continues......

[lbraine]

A very interesting video from he Great Western Fast Charge train team. Lots of very interesting information (historical, future and technical).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvniAyLCafg

[stuving]

If you go down to Castlebar Park Halt today you might be mildly surprised to find a train running on a Sunday. 230001 is doing a full-day trail, or as near as Sunday opening hours permits - 28 runs each way. All on time so far (bit I've now jinxed it, of course). All part of the testing of the batteries, on-board and in this case particularly the lineside ones.

[grahame]

If you go down to Castlebar Park Halt today you might be mildly surprised to find a train running on a Sunday. 230001 is doing a full-day trail, or as near as Sunday opening hours permits - 28 runs each way. All on time so far (bit I've now jinxed it, of course). All part of the testing of the batteries, on-board and in this case particularly the lineside ones.

If you go down in the Park today,
You're sure of a big surprise.
If you go down in the Park today,
You'd better go in disguise.
For every battery D76 that ever there was
Will gather there together because
Today's the day the systems have their testing.

[Electric train]

Roger French not so impressed with the 230's
https://busandtrainuser.com/2024/05/09/are-class-230s-worth-all-the-hassle/
Rail companies which bought into the Vivarail idea of refurbished London Underground D78 stock becoming diesel/battery Class 230 and electric Class 484 trains in their new guise haven’t had a lot of luck with their purchases.
........continues......

I have never been convinced that repurposing these ex LUL^▸ (London Underground Ltd) multiple units is such a good idea, I am not certain it actually saves that much money over building new

[stuving]

I presume Sunday's exercise was a success, since 230001 ran up and down on time all day.

[RichardB]

Good video about the battery train here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sARTvQj5jIg

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks for that, RichardB! 

[Electric train]

Today I had the privilege as part of my day job to visit the charging equipment and travel on the train with the development team.

The trials of both lineside and onboard systems are proving to work extremely well.

I was part of a small Network Rail team looking at what training and competencies Network Rail maintenance staff will need to maintain the lineside equipment and the train charging rails etc.

Exciting times

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks for posting that update here, Electric train.