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Creation of class 230 DEMUs from ex-LU D78s by Vivarail

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driver_m

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craigybagel said:
Sounds rather odd. The stations are so close together it's not like cruise control is going to get used very much - and most of the UK fleet copes ok without it!



It used to be used on 390s at Virgin regularly - although I believe lately that isn't the case. It's fitted to TPE's 185s as well and I've never heard of any objections from ASLEF there to it.
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News to me, we can definitely still use speed set on our 390s. It isn't fitted to 221s.
 
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GusB

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Vivarail have just tweeted a link to their latest press release regarding their hydrogen variant: http://vivarail.co.uk/vivarail-spearheads-development-of-green-fuel-technologies/

Vivarail spearheads development of green fuel technologies
Jan 31, 2019

1187-Hydrogen-Image-1080x675.jpg

Our latest press release with new images of the forthcoming Class 230 hydrogen train…

British company spearheads development of green fuel technologies for rail

UK train designers and manufacturers Vivarail today revealed new visuals for their hydrogen train showing how their unique modular design will mean more seats for passengers as well as emission-free travel.

Vivarail’s on-going success in launching new technologies to the UK market means it is the only train manufacturer with a fully approved base train to work from. The hydrogen train will follow the design of the Transport for Wales fleet with two driving motor cars powered by Hoppecke batteries, the only difference being that instead of a diesel genset beneath the intermediate car the hydrogen train will have two carriages housing the fuel cells and hydrogen tanks.

Unlike other trains the Vivarail Class 230s will store all the equipment beneath the floor making a much more stream-lined and efficient vehicle able to carry more passengers and deliver faster journey times.

This means that Vivarail is not starting from scratch – every design already exists and is proven to work. Therefore all research and development can concentrate on optimising design and performance rather than working out where to house the cells.

Vivarail’s standard modular power pack designs allow easy transition from one power source to another – in this case simply adapting a genset to a fuel cell. Both sit in the same space envelope beneath the train and indeed a train built as a diesel unit could be converted to run with hydrogen if required.

Interior space is not compromised as there is no need to put any of the storage tanks or equipment within the train itself at all, which additionally will inspire passenger confidence as well as comfort!

Hydrogen train development is at an exciting point and with the need to cut the UK’s carbon emissions and phase out diesel trains by 2040 there will be rapid movement by manufacturers to bring these trains to market. Knowledge and technology transfer from the automotive and bus industries will be vital to the implementation of hydrogen fuel to rail – as will the ability to make use of existing and planned infrastructure.

However, technical understanding is not the same as actual design and manufacturing experience – especially when working within the restrictions of the UK’s gauge. Vivarail already has experience using automotive technologies from the development of its first unit 230001 making the it uniquely placed to bring best practice from other industries to rail.

Vivarail is also the only train manufacturer to have built and run a pure battery train – launching unit 230002 in October 2018 and carrying passengers on the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway. Whilst demonstrating the emission-free travel is possible on the railway today the train is also a key part of Vivarail’s on-going drive to build green trains. This is because the 2-car unit can be split and used to test and develop the next generation designs, with intermediate cars using different power sources to charge the batteries on the driving cars – the concept is that simple.

Vivarail is the UK’s only homegrown train manufacturer and the only company with a proven, tested design ready to bring hydrogen trains into service today.

Key features:

  • Tanks and power systems housed beneath the train meaning more seats and internal space for passengers
  • Range of 650 miles
  • Class leading acceleration helping to reduce journey times
  • Regenerative braking to capture energy
  • Green emission-free trains using batteries and hydrogen to help cut the UK’s carbon emissions
  • Spacious interiors meaning comfortable journeys for all types of passengers
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Can anyone think which TOC they might just be pitching that at given the livery it is carrying and what it is similar to? :D

I wonder how they will handle the safety issue of storing hydrogen under the floor? Isn't there a big risk that a tank breach with ignition would just toast the passengers as it floated up?
 
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mullac30

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Bletchleyite said:
Can anyone think which TOC they might just be pitching that at given the livery it is carrying and what it is similar to? :D
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If you right-click on the mock up images and look at their filenames on the browser tab, it reveals something very interesting:
"1187-Class-230-Northern-Hydrogen-x4-car-Final-15.01.19-1080x702.png"
 
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Bletchleyite

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mullac30 said:
If you right-click on the mock up images and look at their filenames on the browser tab, it reveals something very interesting:
"1187-Class-230-Northern-Hydrogen-x4-car-Final-15.01.19-1080x702.png"
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Interesting. It did seem a bit too close for them to be risking being sued for mocking up the livery. Perhaps this is the "alternative technology train" to be trialled on the Windermere branch, then?
 
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Neen Sollars

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Old Hill Bank said:
I do hope its 004 or 005 for Marston Vale.
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Yes! Looks like it is, so we can expect 230003 to go back to Long Marston shortly to have the fault fixed, together with any modifications that ASLEF would like to see.
Training and testing to continue in Feb with 230`s in service in March perhaps?
Hope the You Tubers are out in force tomorrow to record events.
 
Aictos

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I hope the Marston Vale gets the Class 230s in March as I've got a trip booked via that line so it's a good reason to sample their handiwork...

I think it's 3 based at Bletchley with 2 in day to day service and one spare?
 
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Neen Sollars

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Class 403 said:
I hope the Marston Vale gets the Class 230s in March as I've got a trip booked via that line so it's a good reason to sample their handiwork...

I think it's 3 based at Bletchley with 2 in day to day service and one spare?
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Yes. If they are in service please report how they perform.
 
Aictos

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Certainly will, last time I used them was when they were in service on the District line so am interested to see how they compare to the Class 153 or Class 150 on the line in question.

I'm keeping a open mind on them as not to impair my judgement of them.
 
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230004 has made its mainline debut this morning - have been told it was seen at Moreton-in-Marsh about 11.10
 
causton

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Very good news, hopefully we will see it down this way soon!

I saw the LNR unit in Bletchley TMD poking out the south end yesterday but doesn't appear to be on any training runs at the moment.
 
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Some pictures of 230004 running up and down the Cotswold Line yesterday on Stephen Widdowson's flickr page

https://www.flickr.com/photos/149822823@N04/

Looks like all went well, as no paths have appeared so far on realtimetrains for more testing today, so the next appearance probably will be Thursday afternoon for the roundabout run to Bletchley
 
DarloRich

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Neen Sollars

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jimm said:
Some pictures of 230004 running up and down the Cotswold Line yesterday on Stephen Widdowson's flickr page

https://www.flickr.com/photos/149822823@N04/

Looks like all went well, as no paths have appeared so far on realtimetrains for more testing today, so the next appearance probably will be Thursday afternoon for the roundabout run to Bletchley
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Thanks for the link. I always like the photos of Long Marston depot, not only for the subject matter but to see what is going on in the background. In this photo I think you can see a 230 centre car waiting to go into the paintshop. It has the modified larger coach connecting gangway, which will have the rubber gangway surround fitted to allow through access between the coaches with no doors on the Transport for Wales trains.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/149822823@N04/33120953798/in/photostream/
 
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konstant

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The 230s have no authorisation to run in service except for under a test certificate provided by the ORR that specifically limits operation to testing. It is industry knowledge that Vivarail have not yet made any progress with approvals for the fleet to run on NR infrastructure for passenger carrying services outside of this limitation. Will be interesting to see what happens over the coming months in this regard.
 
Rail Blues

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Given that the 230s are coming with different power sources (DEMU/hybrid/battery/hydrogen) I'm slightly surprised they've not been hived off into different classes or seven subclasses.
 
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Allegedly 230s feature in some form on this week's Grand Tour. Vivarail posted on Twitter suggesting it was last week's but I don't believe it was - that was one of the foreign specials.
 
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Bletchleyite said:
Allegedly 230s feature in some form on this week's Grand Tour. Vivarail posted on Twitter suggesting it was last week's but I don't believe it was - that was one of the foreign specials.
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Yeah it did, wasn’t a special, just, what pick up truck is best. Says the 5.something litre ford ranger can “literally pull a train” as that’s what Vivarail are using. Sooo...... there name is mentioned.
 
Bringback309s

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Bletchleyite said:
Allegedly 230s feature in some form on this week's Grand Tour. Vivarail posted on Twitter suggesting it was last week's but I don't believe it was - that was one of the foreign specials.
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Yes the 230 was very briefly mentioned by Richard Hammond driving a Ford Ranger with the same engine saying "it can pull a train"
 
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