On the fast track to fast-charging

JOE CAMPBELL joins the team conducting trials of fast-charge battery technology on the West Ealing to Greenford branch

Great Western Railway has begun training drivers as part of its trial of fast-charging battery technology on the West Ealing to Greenford branch line in west London. Runs with the remanufactured D78 Tube stock began in March 2024, but have so far been operated by contract drivers. “We’re starting to move now towards a passenger service,” says GWR Engineering Director Simon Green. “A lot of the initial trial work was making sure the system works, making sure it’s reliable, making sure you can operate the train service. That’s all done. Our next challenge basically involves training our own drivers.” Managers have already got to grips with the three-car unit, as well as (more importantly) the fast-charge technology installed at the West Ealing end of the branch. Taking the existing diesel…

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RAIL (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 1026

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