The Anonymous Widower

Very Light Rail Trial For Heathfield Branch?

The title of this post, is the same as that of an article in the May 2024 Edition of Modern Railways.

This is the first four paragraphs.

Investigations are ongoing as to whether the disused Heathfield branch line in Devon could be used as a test route for the Revolution Very Light Rail (RVLR) vehicle.

Heathfield Rail Link Association (HRLA) says a survey has been completed along the four-mile line from Newton Abbot, which was last used by timber trains in 2017 and hasn’t seen a regular passenger service since 1959.

The work, by Lampitt Rail, has been completed for Eversholt Rail, one of the firms behind RVLR, a hybrid vehicle, which aims to help reduce costs on existing branch lines and those earmarked for reopening.

A spokesman for Eversholt said the line is one of more than 200 potential opportunities for RVLR ahead for 2026, when it’s hoped tests will start on branch lines around the country using three new battery prototypes.

These are my thoughts and observations.

The Heathfield Branch

This OpenRailwayMap shows the Heathfield branch.

Note.

1. The former site of Heathfield station is indicated by the blue arrow.
2. The yellow track is the Heathfield branch.
3. The orange track is the Cornwall Main Line, that goes through Newton Abbot station to Plymouth and Penzance stations.

This second OpenRailwayMap shows the track layout Newton Abbot station.

As there are three platforms, I suspect that matters can be arranged to turn an occasional train from the branch.

How Will The Revolution VLR Be Charged?

The Modern Railways article says this about charging.

Eversholt Rail and partner firm Transport Design International have stated they will build three new battery-powered vehicles for the 2026 tests, which will need rapid charging points, made up of two rails in-between the running lines which would contact a shoe hanging from the train. HRLA is working with UK Power Networks to find locations for these chargers, including at Newton Abbot.

It sounds very much like the Vivarail/GWR Fast Charge equipment.

What Will Be The Range Of The Revolution VLR?

The range of the Revolution VLR has not been stated.

But this is stated in the Modern Railways article.

Heathfield Rail Link Association (HRLA) says a survey has been completed along the four-mile line from Newton Abbot.

So will the train be able to do a round trip on one charge or just a single journey?

Or could this route be a strong possibility, as the Revolution VLR has the range to do a round trip on one charge?

April 26, 2024 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Eversholt Rail Group, Heathfield Branch, Newton Abbot Station, Revolution VLR