Intercity Battery Train Starts Testing in the North of England
– Intercity battery train begins screening on rail network after effective low speed running finished at Newton Aycliffe.
– New livery used to the train ahead of screening on lines inbetween York to Manchester Airport and Leeds to Liverpool Lime Street.
– Industry cooperation inbetween TransPennine Express, Angel Trains and Hitachi Rail to aid decrease emissions and fuel expenses by as much as 30%.
LONDON, Aug 29, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – The UK’s pioneering intercity battery train started screening on the nationwide rail network earlier this week. This secret turningpoint will see the battery innovation trialled on paths inbetween York to Manchester Airport and Leeds to Liverpool Lime Street over the next 8 weeks.
The train will be quickly recognisable with the unique due to the brand-new livery which commemorates the partnership inbetween TransPennine Express (TPE), Angel Trains and Hitachi Rail.
A range of essential tests will take put, consistingof the battery’s capability to enhance efficiency on hills,regenerative charging through braking, fuel and emission costsavings, and zero-emission battery mode in train stations.
Rail network screening is taking location after the battery train effectively finished low speed tests on the test track at Hitachi Rail’s Newton Aycliffe production center. During these tests the train was moved completely by the battery, producing absolutelyno tailpipe emissions.
This is the veryfirst UK trial where a diesel engine is changed with a battery on an intercity train. The battery has beensuccessfully retrofitted onto one of TPE’s ‘Nova 1’ trains (five-carriage intercity Class 802).
The battery, which produces a peak power of more than 700kw, is forecasted to decrease emissions and fuel expenses by as much as 30% on a Hitachi intercity train. It will likewise demonstrate how battery innovation can decrease expenses in the trains by minimizing the requirement for overhead wires in tunnel areas and over complex junctions.
The trial likewise intends to assistance the UK battery sector and green development, with Hitachi Rail investing over £15 million todevelop this pioneering innovation with Turntide Technologies in Sunderland.
Paul Staples, Engineering, Safety and Sustainability Director at TransPennine Express, stated:
“This trial is a substantial action towards the rail market in the UK – and around the world minimizing CO2 emissions and we are thrilled to be part of it.
“TPE is devoted to making our journeys greener by minimizing our carbon footprint, producing durability to environment modification and enhancing regional air quality.”
Matthew Prosser, Asset Management Director at Angel Trains, stated:
“Following the success of one of our Class 802 trains running totally in battery-mode at Newton Aycliffe, we’re ecstatic to see how this innovation carriesout on the nationwide rail network. This job represents a multimillion-poundjoint financialinvestment by Angel Trains and Hitachi in one of our mostrecent fleets. It will both assistance and draw upon the competent tasks and proficiency at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe center and allow us to show how battery retrofit innovation can assistance us decarbonise our trains.”
Paul Newlove, Head of Green Technologies Programme stated:
“After seeing the train running totally in battery-mode at Newton Aycliffe, I can’t wait to see how this innovation can minimize emissions, decrease fuel expenses and enhance air quality on the Transpennine path.
“This part of the trial is going to be actually amazing duetothefactthat we start to show the advantages of this green innovation for travelers, operators and policy makers.
“It hasactually been such a group effort, with associates in Japan, Italy and UK working together for ye