Battery traction news – Page 5
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In depthTraction Technology: Diverse fleets demonstrate energy storage advances
ABB’s novel modular battery powerpacks are being deployed on new trains being built by several major manufacturers, as advances in energy storage technology start to become commercialised.
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NewsAmtrak unveils Airo electro-diesel train design for ‘the next generation of travel’
USA: Amtrak has announced Airo as the brand name for the electro-diesel push-pull trainsets which it has ordered from Siemens Mobility for use on medium-distance inter-city services.
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In depthTraction Technology: Remanufacturing diesel trains with battery power
Although UK rolling stock specialist Vivarail entered administration on December 1, the company’s Managing Director Steve McBride argues that remanufacturing of existing trains with battery traction remains a compelling choice for a quick and cost-effective transition away from diesel power.
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NewsŠkoda developing battery-electric multiple-unit
CZECH REPUBLIC: Škoda Transportation is developing a battery-electric multiple-unit for national operator České Dráhy. The Type 15Ev3 BEMU is based on Škoda’s Class 650.2 RegioPanter two-car EMU, and will be capable of operating under 3 kV DC or 25 kV 50 Hz electrification, and by using ...
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NewsDiesel-battery multiple-units enter service in Napoli
ITALY: The first two diesel-battery multiple-units that Stadler has supplied for Campania regional operator EAV entered service on the Napoli – Piedimonte Matese line on November 24. EAV ordered five Stadler diesel-battery multiple-units in May 2019 at a cost of €35m plus ...
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NewsIarnród Éireann battery-electric train order approved
IRELAND: National railway Iarnród Éireann has been given the go-ahead to place a firm order for a further 18 five-car Alstom battery-electric multiple-units as part of the DART+ programme to expand Dublin commuter services. The order was approved by the cabinet on November 29 and is ...
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NewsDutch battery-electric train initiative halted
NETHERLANDS: The northeastern province of Overijssel has frozen its plans for deploying battery-electric trains on non-electrified routes from 2027.
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NewsBaden-Württemberg rules out hydrogen traction
GERMANY: Hydrogen-powered rolling stock is less efficient and more expensive than battery-powered traction on non-electrified routes, according to a study commissioned by the Baden-Württemberg Land transport ministry.
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Rail Business UKClayton Equipment expects global interest in battery loco
UK: Clayton Equipment says it is expecting worldwide interest in its CB45 battery shunting locomotive, designed as a smaller model offering ‘significant benefits’ over larger counterparts in the range including quieter and emission-free operation. The manufacturer said battery traction is becoming increasingly attractive, as the performance ...
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NewsUnion Pacific to trial diesel-battery shunting locomotives
USA: Union Pacific and locomotive control technology supplier ZTR have agreed to co-operate on the production of diesel-battery hybrid locomotives, which can powered by a diesel engine or a battery back which would be charged using the engine or a lineside supply. Primarily intended for use ...
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In depthComment: Energy efficiency at all costs
As an energy crisis looms for many of the world’s railways, our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley asks whether lessons can be learnt from the 1970s oil crisis, and urges the industry to redouble its efforts in maximising its energy efficiency.
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NewsJR Central battery-hybrid trainsets enter service
JAPAN: Central Japan Railway has launched its Series HC85 hybrid multiple-units on Limited Express services between Nagoya and Takayama. Branded on this route as Hida, the trains will also be deployed on Nanki Limited Express services between Nagoya, Shingu and Kii-Katuura.
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Rail Business UKChiltern seeks proposals for battery train fleet
UK: Chiltern Railways is seeking proposals for the supply of battery electric multiple-units. The Arriva-owned operator is undertaking an assessment of its rolling stock strategy and in particular how it can achieve non-diesel operation on its routes, which are currently worked using diesel multiple-units and locomotives. ...
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NewsProgress Rail to supply battery locos to BNSF
USA: Progress Rail is to supply BNSF with ‘up to four’ EMD Joule SD70J battery locomotives and two charging stations for demonstration in southern California from 2024. The manufacturer said they would be the largest battery electric locomotives in North America, with a capacity of 8 ...
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NewsBattery Flirt answers Schleswig-Holstein’s decarbonisation question
GERMANY: Having decided to replace the diesel multiple-units currently used on non-electrified routes in the far north of Germany, the Land of Schleswig-Holstein called tenders for the supply of a fleet of zero-emission trains, leaving the choice of technology to bidders. Stadler proposed its Flirt Akku ...
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NewsTrenitalia and Hitachi sing the Blues
INNOTRANS: Hitachi Rail and Trenitalia unveiled a tri-mode regional multiple-unit in Berlin on September 21 which is branded ‘Blues’ in keeping with the national operator’s musically-themed fleet designations.
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Rail Business UKMerseyrail Class 777 battery IPEMU on show at InnoTrans
INNOTRANS: On show in Berlin is one of the seven battery-equipped independently powered electric multiple-units which Stadler is supplying as part of an order for a total of 53 custom-designed Class 777 EMUs for use on the Merseyrail network around Liverpool. The 53 ...
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Rail Business UKWelsh tri-mode multiple-unit on show in Berlin
INNOTRANS: One of the tri-mode Flirt UK multiple-units capable of operation on diesel, 25 kV 50 Hz electric and battery power which Stadler is supplying to Transport for Wales is on show at the InnoTrans trade fair, ahead of entry into service later this year. ...
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NewsKazakh railway signs battery and LNG loco MoU
KAZAKHSTAN: National railway KTZ and Wabtec have signed a memorandum of understanding for the production of 150 FLXdrive battery-electric shunting locomotives and the conversion of main line diesel locos to NextFuel liquid natural gas-power. Wabtec is to undertake the work at the LKZ facility in Nur ...
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NewsBattery-electric locomotive lease signed
NETHERLANDS: RTB Cargo has signed a 10-year agreement to lease four battery-electric shunting and medium-distance locomotives from Northrail, which will provide full maintenance. The Vossloh Rolling Stock DM20-EBB locomotives are intended to operate in the Port of Rotterdam and its hinterland, and will be able to ...