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On this day
21st Apr (1958)
Battery Multiple Unit enters public service (link)
Train RunningCancelled
21/04/25 12:12 Salisbury to Bristol Temple Meads
21/04/25 23:30 Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads
Short Run
21/04/25 05:40 Penzance to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 05:47 Exeter St Davids to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 05:53 Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 05:58 Westbury to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 06:01 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 06:28 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
21/04/25 06:28 Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 06:40 Penzance to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 06:44 Exeter St Davids to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 06:57 Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads
21/04/25 06:59 Westbury to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 07:20 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 07:27 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
21/04/25 07:40 Penzance to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 08:00 Cardiff Central to Plymouth
21/04/25 08:19 Taunton to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 08:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 08:27 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
21/04/25 09:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance
21/04/25 09:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 09:28 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
21/04/25 10:00 Cardiff Central to Taunton
21/04/25 10:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 10:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
21/04/25 10:45 Bristol Temple Meads to Salisbury
21/04/25 10:50 Penzance to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 10:52 Plymouth to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 11:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance
21/04/25 11:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 11:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
21/04/25 12:00 Cardiff Central to Taunton
21/04/25 12:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 12:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
21/04/25 13:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance
21/04/25 13:11 Taunton to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 13:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 13:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
21/04/25 14:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance
21/04/25 14:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 14:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
21/04/25 14:49 Plymouth to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 14:59 Cardiff Central to Taunton
21/04/25 15:15 Taunton to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 15:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 15:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
21/04/25 16:00 Cardiff Central to Taunton
21/04/25 16:24 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 16:27 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
21/04/25 16:31 Barnstaple to Axminster
16:50 Penzance to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 17:00 Cardiff Central to Taunton
17:10 Taunton to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 17:24 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 17:27 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
21/04/25 18:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance
18:10 Taunton to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 18:24 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 18:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
21/04/25 19:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance
19:15 Taunton to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 19:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 19:28 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
21/04/25 20:00 Cardiff Central to Taunton
20:24 Exmouth to Cardiff Central
21/04/25 20:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
21/04/25 20:59 Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads
21/04/25 21:30 Cardiff Central to Frome
21/04/25 22:00 Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads
21/04/25 22:30 Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads
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Great Western Coffee Shop > Sideshoots - associated subjects > Railway History and related topics > [otd] 21 April (1958) - First battery powered electric train in public service
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Author Topic: [otd] 21 April (1958) - First battery powered electric train in public service  (Read 1665 times)
grahame
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« on: April 21, 2023, 08:15:40 »
65 YEARS since the first battery powered electric train in the UK▸ (United Kingdom) entered public service on the Dee Valley (Aberdeen to Ballater) line

Long report at https://railcar.co.uk/type/battery-multiple-unit/operations

Quote
A formal initial run on the line was made on Wednesday 26th March 1958, with many of the population of the town of Ballater turning up, despite the wintry conditions.

[snip]

Regular workings by the vehicles began several weeks later, to allow for drivers and maintenance staff to be trained. The first day, Monday 21st April, was a Spring holiday and when it left at 9.40am every seat was occupied.
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broadgage
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« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2023, 10:22:17 »
A range of 300 miles a day is mentioned, with some charging during layovers. So why are battery trains so problematic today ?
Batteries have improved a lot since the 1950s, So a greater range, or the same range from a smaller and lighter battery should be achievable today.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2023, 12:47:29 »
Quote from: broadgage on April 21, 2023, 10:22:17
A range of 300 miles a day is mentioned, with some charging during layovers. So why are battery trains so problematic today ?
Batteries have improved a lot since the 1950s, So a greater range, or the same range from a smaller and lighter battery should be achievable today.

It also mentioned partial recharging during the day, it mentions a top speed of 60 mph but not how long it took to get there!

The weight of the batteries must have been quite high even if the used NiCads.

There must have been good reasons why the use of batteries was not pursued
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