Battery Traction Trial Ahead As TransPennine Express Fortunes Improve
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Railway Gazette International.
This is the sub-heading.
Overcrowding and short-notice cancellations at state-owned TransPennine Express have declined since the December timetable change, prompting Managing Director Chris Jackson to suggest the operator is in a ‘better place’.
It is a must-read article and the section called Battery Power Trial, says this.
Meanwhile, the Class 802 trainset which was damaged in a shunting accident in March 2022 remains out of traffic. Although No 802 207 has now been repaired, it will not be returning to service yet, as it is receiving modifications for use as a battery testbed.
This will see a 6 m long, 2·2 m wide battery module installed in place of one of the existing engines, which will improve fuel efficiency by using two diesel powerpacks rather than three.
The battery module will provide top-up power for peak demand and give regenerative braking capability when operating in diesel mode, which the trains currently do not have. Arrival and departure at stations is also to be trialled in battery mode to assess noise and air-quality improvements. The train is planned to re-enter traffic in December.
‘We’re supplying that unit to support what we think is a sensible industry scheme to look at whether we can do something to move from bi-mode to tri-mode, which could be beneficial for the industry from a green perspective’, Jackson confirms.
That looks to be a good plan, but I can’t help feeling that battery power for the Class 802 trains has been a long time coming.
This press release from Hitachi is entitled Hitachi And Eversholt Rail To Develop GWR Intercity Battery Hybrid Train – Offering Fuel Savings Of More Than 20%, which announced the project was published on the 15th December 2020.
It will be four years from when Hitachi and Eversholt Rail said go, before the prototype is running.
Is this why LNER bought their new trains from CAF?
The Anonymous Widower 
Yup, I have to agree with you. These trials should have been running several years ago. I doubt if that’s an Hitachi problem, more a case of a complete lack of any overall decarbonisation plan.
Comment by Peter Robins | February 6, 2024 |
I don’t think it’s a lack of a decarbonisation plan, as Eversholt and First Group have been following a decarbonation path judging by their statements and other investments.
I feel it could be one of two things.
Hyperdrive Innovation were taken over by Turntide Technology and they have a more urgent project in the US.
There is a shortage of Software and Control Engineers.
Hyperdrive Innovation’s big customer is JCB. How are their electric diggers doing?
Comment by AnonW | February 6, 2024 |
All the manufacturers and leasing companies can do is say what they can provide. Hitachi have consistently said that adding batteries to their trains is quick and easy. They originally suggested adding to TPE’s bimodes several years ago, but nothing has happened. They’re not providing anything for free – they need firm orders. Under the franchise system, operators could incorporate things like batteries in their bid, and the order would be placed if they won the bid. But franchising is now dead. Scotland has plans for battery trains (though they haven’t actually ordered any yet), Wales and Liverpool have some in operation, but the rest of the country is up to the DfT, who seem to have absolutely no decarbonisation plan whatsoever.
Comment by Peter Robins | February 6, 2024
TPE was run into the ground because DfT meddled too much then OLR come in and slash the service and they want to celebrate reliability. Fact remains this is one of the most expensive subsidy per passenger carried operation in England.
Anyhow about time the battery trial went forward although why we need a trial is beyond me Hitachi have mission proved kit already. Also one of the best attributes having a battery onboard is the ability to recuperate braking energy and this will always be more efficient than just regen.
Comment by Nicholas Lewis | February 6, 2024 |
I see “rigorous” trials have now started on Lds-Lpl and York-Man airport, and will last 8 wks. Hope there are no issues!
Comment by Peter Robins | September 1, 2024 |
Hitachi have now published the results of their trial https://www.hitachirail.com/press/#/pressreleases/uk-first-intercity-battery-trial-exceeds-expectations-3353245 – don’t forget this is a trial of 1 battery for use at stations, not a complete replacement of all diesel with batteries, though the press release does mention what such a battery-only train might be capable of. Follow the link for info on their next-generation battery project.
Comment by Peter Robins | November 9, 2024 |