Class 93 Tri-mode Loco

[BlueLeanie]

Not sure if it's worth starting a speculative discussion on this or not, but.

If Stadler built or partnered with a coach builder, would it be technically possible to have a supplementary battery pack under a passenger coach to improve range or "boost" capacity?

 

[hwl]

Not sure if it's worth starting a speculative discussion on this or not, but.

If Stadler built or partnered with a coach builder, would it be technically possible to have a supplementary battery pack under a passenger coach to improve range or "boost" capacity?

Not without significant modification. The coaches would be the easy bit.

 

[plugwash]

Not sure if it's worth starting a speculative discussion on this or not, but.

If Stadler built or partnered with a coach builder, would it be technically possible to have a supplementary battery pack under a passenger coach to improve range or "boost" capacity?

My understanding is that connecting and disconnecting traction power cables during normal service is not considered practical. So such an arrangement would mean the passenger coach in question would need to be semi-permanently connected to the loco.

 

[AndrewE]

My understanding is that connecting and disconnecting traction power cables during normal service is not considered practical. So such an arrangement would mean the passenger coach in question would need to be semi-permanently connected to the loco.

I guess that wouldn't be a deal-breaker, as on services like the Welsh Marches they use the sets semi-permanently coupled.
OTOH It must be handy to be able to put the loco on whichever end of the trainset was needed after an exam, which this would make a bit more difficult. If you had a triangle near the (loco or trainset) servicing depot you could keep them together...