1

Battery Power Passenger Train Trial Now

Underway In UK
Prototype battery-powered train carries passengers for first time
The train, a modified *Class 379 Electrostar, or IPEMU (Independently Powered
Electric Multiple Unit) is the first battery powered train to run in the UK in over 50 years.
The standard Class 379 Electrostar runs via an overhead 25 kV AC system.
Network Rail said that the train will aid in the companys goal of reducing railway costs by
20% over the next 5 years.

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. Network Rail principal engineer James Ambrose.
The UK company says if the trial runs are met with success, Network Rail could start
replacing older diesel engines currently in service elsewhere on the lines.

2
After months of engineering and testing, the train is running just as we would like it. Well
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 dieselpowered train.
Thanks to the onboard batteries, the modified train is capable of running on or off nonelectrifies lines, expanding its available coverage.

As powering a train is nothing like a passenger car, just how many batteries are required to
make that happen? Mr. Ambrose says about 80,000 cells, such as is found inside a Tesla
Model S from the looks of the video above (18650s), but provided by battery supplier
Valence out of Texas (using lithium iron magnesium phosphate battery technology). If our
rough math is correct, that is about 1.1 MWh of capacity.
Total range of the train is not stated by the company at this point, but a testing update
updated the hopeful operating parameters:
the trial performance targets were: a range of 50km (regional service); an acceleration
and speed similar to a DMU; operational cycles of 30km battery and 50km overhead; a
lifetime of five to seven years; and a high level of intrinsic safety.

3
Videos en:

http://youtu.be/4LFthXVgsqg?list=PLcieUuOBJRerVziaIArvWLfe2
8P6w8qKg

The partners working on the IPEMU project are:

Network Rail
The Rail Executive arm of the Department for Transport
FutureRailway
Abellio Greater Anglia
Bombardier

Data gathered during the experiment will be used to help the wider rail industry determine
what form a future IPEMU will take, be it a straight battery unit or hybrid.
Any future IPEMU would most likely be designed as a new train and not an adapted unit,
to minimise energy consumption, but this project will also provide useful information for
retrofit.
About FutureRailway: FutureRailway is the delivery team working on behalf of the crossindustry Technical Strategy Leadership Group (TSLG) to implement the Rail Technical
Strategy. As such, FutureRailway is supported by the whole rail industry and its supply
chain, and operates as a collaboration between RSSB and Network Rail. It incorporates the
activities of the former Enabling Innovation Team which was set up by the rail industry to
accelerate the uptake of innovation. The mission is to offer support to practical crossindustry demonstrator projects, but also seeking out innovative ideas and proposals from
across the industry. The approach is to: understand the challenges that industry faces;
connect potential innovators with these challenges; and, where necessary with potential
funding. The team is hosted by RSSB, and reports into TSLG, and is supported by the Rail
Delivery Group, RSSBs Board as well as the Department for Transport.
About RSSB: RSSB help the industry understand risk, guide standards, manage research,
development and innovation and collaborate to improve. The rail industry in Britain is
made up of many different organisations, but they all form a system and share a common
purpose, to move people and freight safely and efficiently by rail. RSSB bring all parts of
this system together to support shared decisions, products and services, to help industry
drive out unnecessary cost, improve business performance and develop long-term
strategy.RSSB is run by the industry, for the industry, with member companies from across
the mainline system. The demand for their services comes from the industry itself, and from
the involvement of cross-industry groups.

About Bombardier Transportation: Bombardier Transportation, a global leader in rail

technology, offers the broadest portfolio in the rail industry and delivers innovative
products and services that set new standards in sustainable mobility. BOMBARDIER
ECO4 technologies built on the four cornerstones of energy, efficiency, economy and
ecology conserve energy, protect the environment and help to improve total train
performance for operators and passengers. Bombardier Transportation is headquartered in
Berlin, Germany, and has a very diverse customer base with products or services in more
than 60 countries. It has an installed base of over 100,000 vehicles worldwide.

About Abellio Greater Anglia: The Abellio Greater Anglia franchise began operating on 5
February 2012. It provides intercity, commuter and rural services throughout the East of
England, including the Harwich branch line on which the IPEMU trial is taking place.
Abellio Greater Anglia employs 3,000 staff and operates over 1,900 train services per day.
It services 167 stations and carries over two million passengers a week.

About Rail Innovation and Development Centre: Open to the wider industry, the Rail
Innovation and Development Centre provides facilities for engineers and operators to
experiment and develop new ways of maintaining, renewing and enhancing the railway.
Activities include trialling and developing new rail vehicles, plant and machinery,
infrastructure systems, and components. New operational practices are tested in controlled
conditions, and engineers are trained to develop and improve their skills in a realistic and
safe environment. Located in Nottinghamshire, our Rail Innovation and Development
Centre is maintained to the standards of the rest of the network and is therefore fully
representative of our national railway infrastructure.

Contact information
Media Relations (National)
020 3356 8700
mediarelations@networkrail.co.uk

*British Rail Class 379

The Class 379 Electrostar is a British electric multiple unit train type ordered in April 2009
for Stansted Express services operated by National Express East Anglia (NXEA) and later
Abellio Greater Anglia.
The trains are also being used on services between London Liverpool Street, Stratford,
Cambridge and Stansted Airport. The fleet was ordered as part of the NXEA Service
Improvement Plan designed to expand capacity on the heavily crowded lines into London
Liverpool Street.