Experimental train succeeds in West Ealing-Greenford trials
Fast-charging battery train could shape the future of UK railways
For almost a year, a mysterious train has been departing from Platform 5 at West Ealing Station, sometimes with no passengers and sometimes with hundreds. The battery train is an experiment being run by Great Western Railways which is recharged in minutes each time it arrives at West Ealing.
The battery-powered trains could replace diesel trains on branch lines such as West Ealing-Greenford all over the country which would be cheaper and better for the environment than diesel and much cheaper than putting in electrification infrastructure.
Many trains are powered by electricity from overhead cables or ground rails. British railway companies have experimented with battery power in the past but the technological advances make it more efficient. The West Ealing train is charged slowly while in depot and then topped up each time it arrives at Platform 5.
The trains have been tested in all conditions with the driver going at high speeds and low speeds, in hot, cold and wet weather and with tracks and chargers covered in leaves.
The distance between West Ealing and Greenford is five miles but the trains have managed 80 miles without a refresh charge.
Find out more from GWR’s video:
Mark Hopwood, the managing director of GWR said the company needed to renew its regional diesel fleets some of which are approaching 40 years of age. “One of the key motivations was to explore how discontinuous fast-charging can be used to support battery-electric trains calling at interim station stops. And we’ve been able to prove that the technology works,” he said.
You can read the full white paper on GWR’s website.
H/T Ian Visits