The Anonymous Widower

The Ultimate Recycled Electric Local Train

This morning, I took a ride across London to ride in the first Class 230 train in public service in London.

I took these pictures of the new block of flats going up at West Ealing station, the charging system for the train and the train.

Note.

1. The train is three-cars with a toilet to suit everybody, except possibly Donald Trump, who’d want it in gold.
2. The single train is shuttling between West Ealing and Greenford stations.
3. Each journey 2.5 mile journey takes eleven minutes.

I was surprised at the number of tables and the quality of the seats.

These are some extra thoughts.

The Blocks Of Flats

Google AI gave me this.

Several new developments around West Ealing station feature tall blocks, with major proposals ranging from 4 to 26 storeys. Key projects include a 26-storey tower, proposed 19–22 storey towers on Manor Road/Waitrose site, and 7–21 storey student accommodation blocks. These, along with other 9-storey developments, are transforming the area into a high-density “transport hub” cluster.

I think the 26-storey West 55 Tower is shown in the first two pictures.

Google AI also says some of the natives are not happy about all the towers.

But I like the “high density” transport hub.

Integrating The Railway And The Housing

Note.

1. This would appear to be a good example of integrating the railway and the housing.
2. The second picture appears to show a walkway between the station and Tower 55.
3. I met a property developer on a train once and he told me, that housing on top of stations without car parking, had better numbers all round, with more flats, less cost and good profit.
4. I wonder, if Tower 55, is one of his? He was certainly enthusiastic about the concept.
5. Would a Fast-Charge system be easier and very much safer to squeeze in than traditional overhead wiring?

If the flats all don’t have garages, there must be space for other uses.

The Charger At Work

Note.

1. The third to the sixth pictures, show the train coming into the station and charging ready for a trip to Greenford.
2. The train acts as a heavy safety guard during the process.
3. Anything electrical or dangerous is underneath the train.

I would expect that a health and safety expert, would rate the train no more dangerous than a normal train.

There Seems To Have Been A Lot Of Innovative Recycling On The Train

This certainly seems to apply to the seats, which in some cases are the originals remodeled.

A Stylish And Well-Built Train

This phrase would sum up my overall view of the train.

I have a Korean son-in-law and I know a bit, how Koreans think about design.

I would think, that he would like this as it is a stylish and practical train, so it wouldn’t embarrass you or your Korean boss, if you told him to use this train in the UK, to get to your offices.

Using my Korean example, I suspect, that this train could be one that endears itself to its passengers, with its quirky and practical feel, just like the original Mini did.

Adrian Shooter Would Be Pleased

Most Certainly!

I wish all the team well, as I believe this technology and a few trains like 230001 will make their mark on the world.

A Practical Hundred Mile Battery-Electric Route

The Sheffield and Scunthorpe Line is a Parliamentary Service.

1. It is 71.6 miles over 1 hour and 48 minutes, through seven stations of the Lincolnshire countryside, at an average speed of 40 mph.
2. Currently, it runs once per day, which is not very ideal for a job, education, training, shopping or visiting grandchildren.
3. A two-car version of 230001 could be ideal to perhaps do four round or five trips a day and level-up some of the poorer parts of the UK, that don’t even have a decent bus service.
4. A similar two-car train could also serve the 45-mile round-trip Cleethorpes and Barton-on-Humber service.

I am sure that this train could start the right sort of rural or urban revolution.

January 31, 2026 Posted by AnonW | Artificial Intelligence, Design, Transport/Travel | Class 230 Train, Google AI, Greenford Branch, Greenford Station, Health and Safety, Vivarail, Vivarail Fast Charging, West Ealing Station | 3 Comments