Bombarider to test an electric/battery operated Class 379

[jay38a]

Hi all

I was reading in Railway Gazette, that Bombardier are going to take a Class 379 and put electric batteries to it, to allow it to operate on non electrified lines. This could be a low cost solution to lines that are not economical feasible enough to justify electrify in full. If successful on the Old Dalby test track, it would enter passenger service somewhere on the Greater Anglia network, running on electrified lines then swapping to battery operating mode, when the non electrified section is reached.

www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/independently-powered-emu-to-be-tested.html

[T.R.]

The Romford - Upminster line would be ideal. It's a short branch, and is more/less self-contained.

I heard that the battery mode would be tested under the wires so if there's a problem it can be restored to 25kV immediately.

[snowman]

It has been reported that Bombardiar at Derby have been awarded the contract for the 65 Crossrail trains

Could a mod, please move this to the Crossrail thread (currently locked) as I think the info would be better in that thread as it has plenty of the history of Crossrail and would seem appropriate, thanks