British Network Rail has begun to test a battery-powered train in a series of on-track trials at Bombardier’s Transportation plant in Derby, UK.
Bombardier installed six battery “rafts” comprising lithium iron magnesium phosphate battery packs at a Greater Anglia four-car class 379 train.
According to Network Rail and its partners, battery-powered trains are quieter and more efficient than diesel powered-trains. Retrofitted trains could be used to bridge gaps in otherwise electrified parts of the network or used on branch lines where it would be expensive to install overhead electrification equipment.
“Over the next five years, Network Rail has a target to reduce the cost of running Britain’s railway by a further 20%. At the same time, we are always looking for ways to make the railway greener too,” said James Ambrose, senior engineer at Network Rail.
Bombardier will also test other battery types such as hot sodium nickel salt at its site in Mannheim, Germany. “We continue to test other possible solutions so we can gather as much information and comparison data as possible for future development,” said Ambrose.
The next test phase is set for the end of this year at Network Rail’s High Marnham test track in Nottinghamshire and will include high-speed tests.
