Battery-powered train enters service

Independently powered electric multiple unit carrying passengers in Essex

The first battery-powered train to run on Britain’s rail network in more than half a century carried its first passengers this week.

Network Rail and its industry partners – including Bombardier, Abellio Greater Anglia, FutureRailway and the Rail Executive arm of the Department for Transport (which is co-funding the project) – believe that battery-powered trains could bridge gaps between electrified parts of the network and to run on branch lines where it would be too expensive to install overhead electrification.

The demonstrator could lead to the introduction of a fleet of battery-powered trains, which Network Rail said would be quieter and more efficient than diesel-powered trains, making them better for passengers and the environment.

Following its successful retrofitting and trials at test tracks in Derby and Leicestershire last year by Bombardier, the modified Class 379 Electrostar battery-powered train – also known as an Independently Powered Electric Multiple Unit (IPEMU) – will run in weekday timetable service for five weeks between Harwich International and Manningtree stations in Essex.

Network Rail principal engineer James Ambrose said: “We’ve made terrific progress with this project so far and seeing the battery-powered train in timetabled service is a huge step forward. “After months of engineering and testing, the train is running just as we would like it. We’ll be using this five-week period to gather data on how it handles during passenger service – most travellers will recognise how quiet and smooth the ride is compared to a diesel-powered train.”

He added: “We are always looking for ways to reduce the cost of running the railway and make it greener too. This project has the potential to contribute significantly towards both those goals.”