Battery trains to be tested in West London.

[caravanman]

The trains, which are former London Underground units, will undertake real-world trials and will charge for just 3 and a half minutes before restarting its journey on the Greenford branch line:

Battery trains test...

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

The trains, which are former London Underground units, will undertake real-world trials and will charge for just 3 and a half minutes before restarting its journey on the Greenford branch line:

Battery trains test...

Will they be testing the underground units with various types of snow.... (like the wrong kind)

 

[caravanman]

Will they be testing the underground units with various types of snow.... (like the wrong kind)

I expect they will rely on global warming to mitigate the snow issues.

It seems that the "quick recharge" aspect of the system is the new element. The former Underground train sets look rather smart, not sure which type / age they are... (The GWR is a surface railway.)

More info here: https://www.railjournal.com/fleet/british-fast-charging-battery-train-starts-trial-runs/

 

[BlackDiamond]

The former Underground train sets look rather smart, not sure which type / age they are... (The GWR is a surface railway.)

They look like the former D78 trains formerly used on the District Line. The Isle of Wight has similar trains although conventionally third rail powered which replaced the former 1938 tube stock trains.

 

[jiml]

I believe Geoff Marshall did a story awhile ago from the factory doing the refurb on these. It has taken some time to get to this stage.

 

[cirdan]

They look like the former D78 trains formerly used on the District Line. The Isle of Wight has similar trains although conventionally third rail powered which replaced the former 1938 tube stock trains.

Indeed. In my view some of the smartest and most comfortable trains ever to have graced the London Underground.

 

[PerRock]

I believe Geoff Marshall did a story awhile ago from the factory doing the refurb on these. It has taken some time to get to this stage.

It didn't help that the manufacturer, VivaRail, collapsed.