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Mark Hopwood, MD of Great Western Rail, believes the 1970s rolling stock could be brought back to life and replace diesel-powered trains on the Greenford line.
(Permalink) BMU Great Western Rail Vivarail


Greenford [LPTB]: 165135 departing from Greenford for West Ealing, less than three miles away, on 9th February 2019. This view, from the bay between the Central Line platforms, is towards the adjacent 1904 GWR cut-off ...
David Bosher 09/02/2019

Great Western Railway has agreed contracts to buy Vivarail's battery train related assets, saying this will secure the future of planned trials of the technology in London.
(Permalink) Great Western Railway Vivarail

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.
(Permalink) Vivarail

Rolling stock manufacturer Vivarail announced its intention to appoint administrators on November 23, after failing to secure new investors.
(Permalink) Vivarail

Jon Roden, Helen Dale and Andrew Charters of Grant Thornton UK LLP were appointed Joint Administrators of Vivarail Limited on 1 December 2022. The affairs, business and property of Vivarail Limited (the Company) are being managed by the joint administrators, who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability. Jon Roden, Helen Dale and Andrew ...
(Permalink) Vivarail


Bedford: The driving cab of a Vivarail 230 unit, converted from Underground stock, is not the roomiest but everything seems ergonomically close to hand. This is 230003 at Bedford, whilst engaged on Marston Val ...
Mark Bartlett 25/07/2022


Jamestown Viaduct [Inverkeithing]: The first emission-free fully-electric train to cross the iconic Forth Bridge is seen, at the Jamestown Viaduct with the Forth Bridge beyond, in this Network Rail and Vivarail aerial view as the Unite ...
Network Rail 02/11/2021


Bo^ness: Battery powered Vivarail D-train 230002 moves out of the yard at Boness on 9th October 2018. The unit took a power charge before public demonstrations the following day.
Bill Roberton 09/10/2018

We have received notification that Vivarail, the maintainers for the Class 230 trains that serve the Marston Vale line (between Bletchley and Bedford) have today entered into administration. This means we are currently unable to provide a rail service on the Marston Vale line.
(Permalink) Class 230 Marston Vale line Vivarail

Rolling stock supplier and battery traction pioneer Vivarail has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.
(Permalink) Vivarail

Eversholt Rail and Vivarail have signed an agreement aimed at developing battery power and range extension to the Class 321 Renatus fleet. The 30 unit Renatus fleet is a product of 65m investment in AC traction, air conditioning and upgraded interior. Completed in 2019, it provides a high-quality passenger experience, proven reliability in ...
(Permalink) BEMU Class 321 Eversholt Rail Kiepe Electric Vivarail

Leasing company Eversholt Rail is to assess the possibility of using Vivarail's battery traction technology to enable its Class 321 Renatus electric multiple-units to operate on non-electrified lines.
(Permalink) Class 321 Eversholt Rail Vivarail

The post UK train manufacturer sends second set of Class 230 battery stock to the US appeared first on Vivarail.
(Permalink) Battery train Class 230 Vivarail

Vivarail, based in Southam, has been attracting praise.
(Permalink) Vivarail

UK-based rolling stock & battery technology manufacturer Vivarail noted a number of achievements during the first week of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. The opening Saturday of the conference on Saturday October 30 saw a historic run across the Firth of Forth,. as the first electric train across the iconic bridge.
(Permalink) Vivarail


Forth Bridge: Vivarail battery train crossing the Forth Bridge.
Network Rail 02/11/2021

Trudy Harrison MP, DfT minister and Member of Parliament for Copeland, was joined by Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines this afternoon to get a closer look at the best of British low-carbon train technology at Glasgow Central station.
(Permalink) Andrew Haines Dft Glasgow Central HydroFLEX Network Rail Porterbrook Trudy Harrison Vivarail


Glasgow Central: DfT minister Tracy Harrison MP is shown two next-generation green trains (Vivarail and HydroFLEX) by Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines at Glasgow Central station.
Network Rail 09/11/2021

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales met with teams from Network Rail and pioneering train technology companies Vivarail and Porterbrook this afternoon (Friday 5th November) to find out more about alternative fuel trains and the technology which will play a major part in powering Britain's green rail revolution.
(Permalink) Battery train HydroFLEX Hydrogen power OLE Porterbrook Vivarail

The Prince of Wales toured 'green fuelled' trains run by two transport firms as his week at COP26 drew to a close.
(Permalink) Battery train HydroFLEX Hydrogen power OLE Porterbrook Vivarail

This has been an unrivalled week of 'firsts' for Vivarail.In a few short days we have: Carried out the longest journey on battery power across the iconic Forth Bridge, Welcomed guests from around the world to our train, Announced new export plans to North America and more.
(Permalink) COP26 Vivarail


Glasgow Central: COP ticket - the ticket for a trip on the Vivarail train from Glasgow Central to Barrhead and back. Supported by the Department for Transport, Network Rail and Transport Scotland, Vivarail will lead t ...
John Yellowlees 29/10/2021


Glasgow Central: Vivarail's battery powered Class 230 unit will be operating a daily demonstration run for #COP26 delegates. Departing Glasgow Central at 1323 it will run non stop to Barrhead (1336 to 1345) then back ...
John Yellowlees 29/10/2021


Jamestown Viaduct [Inverkeithing]: The first emission-free fully-electric train to cross the iconic Forth Bridge is seen, at the Jamestown Viaduct with the Forth Bridge beyond, in this Network Rail and Vivarail aerial view as the Unite ...
Network Rail 02/11/2021

The post First Island Line train sets off as transformed railway re-opens appeared first on Vivarail.

(Permalink) Island Line Vivarail

Network Rail and Vivarail have released stunning aerial shots of the first emission-free fully-electric train to cross the iconic Forth Bridge as the United Nations Climate Change Conference takes place in Glasgow.
(Permalink) COP26 Forth Bridge Vivarail


Forth Bridge: Vivarail battery train crossing the Forth Bridge.
Network Rail 02/11/2021


Inverkeithing: Vivarail battery multiple unit 230001 crawls (thankfully) through Inverkeithing heading for an overnight stop in the Yard. 29 October.
Bill Roberton 29/10/2021


Jamestown Viaduct [Inverkeithing]: The first emission-free fully-electric train to cross the iconic Forth Bridge is seen, at the Jamestown Viaduct with the Forth Bridge beyond, in this Network Rail and Vivarail aerial view as the Unite ...
Network Rail 02/11/2021

The Isle of Wight's Island Line reopens with a new fleet of refurbished London Underground trains.
(Permalink) Island Line Isle of Wight Vivarail

It was great to show IRJ our train last week, and then to read this informative and intelligent analysis of our work.
(Permalink) COP26 Vivarail

Vivarail shared a first image of the battery-powered train arriving at PD Stirlings depot at Mossend.
(Permalink) COP26 Mossend Yard PD Stirling Vivarail

Vivarail intends to show off a new design of battery-powered zero-emission Class 230 unit at next months COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow.
(Permalink) 80mph COP26 Class 230 Vivarail

Network Rail and Vivarail today announced that Vivarail's next-generation battery train will be launched at COP26 and will run daily services throughout the international climate change conference.
(Permalink) COP26 Network Rail Vivarail


Droitwich: Vivarail train at Droitwich. Network Rail and Vivarail today announced that Vivarail’s next-generation battery train will be launched at COP26 and will run daily services throughout the interna ...
Network Rail /09/2021

Henry Posner III discusses how rebuilt trains can be used to quickly make the case to reopen disused lines. A D-Train owned by Vivarail, Britain, is running in central Pennsylvania as the company seeks to demonstrate its Pop-Up Metro offer to the United States. The two-car battery train was shipped to Baltimore in April and taken by road to a tramway museum, where it is being used to showcase the rebuilt former London Underground train and what it can offer the United States. It began operating in July with the delay caused by the travel restrictions as a result of the pandemic.
(Permalink) D-Train Vivarail

Six years ago rolling stock manufacturer Vivarail began investigating the potential for battery train operation. The company inherited some batteries from the Independently Powered Electric Multiple-Unit (IPEMU) battery train project in Essex, UK, then kitted out a carriage and set it to run around a test track at Long Marston, in Warwickshire, England.
(Permalink) Vivarail

Vivarail, Transport for Wales (TfW), SLC Operations, Rail Operations Group, and Network Rail will be joining forces to provide a rail event shuttle service between Honeybourne station and Long Marston for this years Rail Live 2021 on 16 and 17 June. The service will give delegates the opportunity to sample one of Vivarail's innovative battery ...
(Permalink) Honeybourne Long Marston Network Rail Rail Operations Group SLC Operations Transport for Wales Vivarail

Has arrived on the Isle of Wight! Such a great day and we couldnt be happier to be part of Island Lines amazing history. Our trains are built using the bodyshell and bogies from the D78s, everything else is new. These trains, the Class 484s, use Island Lines existing 3rd rail and come complete with []
(Permalink) Class 484 Isle of Wight Vivarail

The Office of Rail & Road has given authorisation for battery and diesel-battery versions of Vivarail's Class 230 D-Train multiple-units to be used in passenger service.
(Permalink) Class 230 D-Train Vivarail


Bo^ness: Battery powered Vivarail D-train 230002 moves out of the yard at Boness on 9th October 2018. The unit took a power charge before public demonstrations the following day.
Bill Roberton 09/10/2018


Long Marston: Vivarail D-Train in the short platform at Long Marston on 17 August 2015. The D-Train, rebuilt around former LU D78 stock, is currently undergoing testing here [see recent news item].
Ian Dinmore 17/08/2015


Long Marston: Ex-LU D78 car with 'modified front end' in the yard at Long Marston on 17 August 2015. The 'modification' resulted from a controlled crash into a 3 tonne tank of water during testing of the bodyshells ...
Ian Dinmore 17/08/2015

South Western Railway has revealed the first of the Class 484 electric multiple-units which Vivarail is producing for the Island Line on the Isle of Wight, and has announced the dates of a major blockade of the 137 km line when engineering works are to be undertaken in advance.
(Permalink) Class 484 South Western Railway Vivarail

Ben Jones visits Long Marston to find out how redundant District Line trains are being rebuilt to provide cheaper and greener alternatives to brand new multiple units and how Vivarail is looking to the future with new methods of propulsion.
(Permalink) Class 230 D-Train Long Marston Vivarail


Kensington Olympia: Penny for them... Awaiting departure time at Kensington Olympia on 22 July 2005, the driver of D Stock unit 7121, forming a District Line service to High Street Kensington, studies his newspape ...
John Furnevel 22/07/2005


Bo^ness: Battery powered Vivarail D-train 230002 moves out of the yard at Boness on 9th October 2018. The unit took a power charge before public demonstrations the following day.
Bill Roberton 09/10/2018


Long Marston: Ex-LU D78 car with 'modified front end' in the yard at Long Marston on 17 August 2015. The 'modification' resulted from a controlled crash into a 3 tonne tank of water during testing of the bodyshells ...
Ian Dinmore 17/08/2015

Today (Monday) theres good news for the users of Island Line. New trains are coming to the Island.
As anyone who has ridden the Isle of Wights train service knows, the trains that run between Shanklin and Ryde pier head are old. Really old.
The trains and carriages first came into service in 1938 on London Undergrounds Tube. Theyre so old in fact that theyre older than some of the wagons that run on the heritage Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
Five new trains
Today its been announced that the company Vivarail has been selected to build five new trains to run on the Isle of Wight.
(Permalink) Isle of Wight Vivarail

The first example of Vivarail's refurbished D-Trains is carrying passengers on West Midlands Trains.
The inaugural service left Bedford at 05.16 this morning, bound for Bletchley.
Three of the Class 230 units will soon be operating on the Marston Vale line, which is part of the future East West Rail link,
(Permalink) Class 230 D-Train Vivarail


Bo^ness: Battery powered Vivarail D-train 230002 moves out of the yard at Boness on 9th October 2018. The unit took a power charge before public demonstrations the following day.
Bill Roberton 09/10/2018


Long Marston: Ex-LU D78 car with 'modified front end' in the yard at Long Marston on 17 August 2015. The 'modification' resulted from a controlled crash into a 3 tonne tank of water during testing of the bodyshells ...
Ian Dinmore 17/08/2015


Bedford St Johns (New): A view from the road above of the 'new' St Johns station on the Bedford to Bletchley line. The vehicle recovery yard on the right contains four Standard cars - probably one of the largest collections ...
Ken Strachan 17/06/2011

Battery powered Vivarail D-train 230002 was charged at Boness on the 9th October 2018 before public demonstrations the following days.
(Permalink) Class 230 D-Train Vivarail


Manuel: The 'D-train' battery powered 230002 halted at Manuel in October 2018.
John Yellowlees 11/10/2018


Bo^ness: Battery powered Vivarail D-train 230002 moves out of the yard at Boness on 9th October 2018. The unit took a power charge before public demonstrations the following day.
Bill Roberton 09/10/2018

The first Class 230/0 for London Northwestern Railway was unveiled at Long Marston on August 21, as the deal for three two-car trains was confirmed.
They will start running between Bedford and Bletchley from December, with testing to start in the next few weeks.
(Permalink) Class 230 D-Train Long Marston Vivarail


Fenny Stratford: Platform view at Fenny Stratford station on the Bedford to Bletchley line, looking west towards Bletchley on 24 February 2007.
John McIntyre 24/02/2007


Long Marston: Ex-LU D78 car with 'modified front end' in the yard at Long Marston on 17 August 2015. The 'modification' resulted from a controlled crash into a 3 tonne tank of water during testing of the bodyshells ...
Ian Dinmore 17/08/2015


Bedford St Johns (New): A view from the road above of the 'new' St Johns station on the Bedford to Bletchley line. The vehicle recovery yard on the right contains four Standard cars - probably one of the largest collections ...
Ken Strachan 17/06/2011

Vivarail has reached an agreement to supply three two-car Class 230 D-Train diesel-electric multiple-units to West Midlands Trains for operation from December on the Marston Vale Line between Bedford and Bletchley.
Vivarails D-Train uses aluminium bodyshells and bogies from former D78 metro trainsets withdrawn from service by London Underground.
(Permalink) Class 230 D-Train Vivarail


Millbrook (Beds): Two class 31s and two coaches forming the 14.00 Bedford - Bletchley train calling at Millbrook in September 1998.
Ian Dinmore 16/09/1998


Ridgmont: Services for Bletchley (left) and Bedford (right) cross at this lonely stop on the remnant of the Oxford - Cambridge 'Varsity line' in February 2012. see image [[37613]]
Ken Strachan 10/02/2012


Bedford St Johns: Remains of the old station at Bedford St Johns on the Oxford - Cambridge line, seen around 1976 looking east towards Sandy. The station was closed in 1984 when a replacement was opened on the spur run ...
Ian Dinmore //1976

Vivarail has confirmed that the companys first two completed D-Trains will be available for delivery early next year.

Construction of the two trains is under way at the companys workshop at Long Marston, where they will be made available as either two- or three-car units, and as either diesel or battery-powered variants. [From Mark Bartlett]
(Permalink) Class 230 D-Train Vivarail


Long Marston: Vinyl-applied design on the test power car of the D-Train at Long Marston on 17 August 2015.
Ian Dinmore 17/08/2015


Long Marston: D-Train conversion work in progress at Long Marston in August 2015. See image [[52425]]
Ian Dinmore 17/08/2015

Ten people have been evacuated from a train which caught fire.
Smoke could be seen billowing out of the three-carriage train at the old railway station in Kenilworth, Warwickshire.
The engine at the front of the train set alight, the fire service said. Operator Vivarail said it was a test train and all staff were safe.
National Rail's website said trains will not run between Coventry and Leamington Spa for the rest of the day.
Services between Manchester Piccadilly and Bournemouth will divert via Solihull and not call at Birmingham International and Coventry.
(Permalink) Class 230 D-Train Fire Kenilworth Vivarail


Long Marston: Vivarail D-Train in the short platform at Long Marston on 17 August 2015. The D-Train, rebuilt around former LU D78 stock, is currently undergoing testing here [see recent news item].
Ian Dinmore 17/08/2015


Long Marston: Ex-LU D78 car with 'modified front end' in the yard at Long Marston on 17 August 2015. The 'modification' resulted from a controlled crash into a 3 tonne tank of water during testing of the bodyshells ...
Ian Dinmore 17/08/2015

The Vivarail Class 230 train will now not begin its trial runs on the Coventry to Nuneaton (NUCKLE) line until next February because of problems with the approval process.
The innovative three-car D Train is built from upcycled bodyshells and bogies from London Underground rolling stock, and seats 300 passengers. The train is due to be operated by London Midland on the NUCKLE line, replacing a single car Class 153 train.
(Permalink) Class 153 Class 230 D-Train Vivarail


Bedworth: An unusually green view of Bedworth in July 2012, as the 18.53 Coventry - Nuneaton continues its journey north. The hourly passenger service on this line is supplemented by lots of heavy freight see i ...
Ken Strachan 05/07/2012


Long Marston: Vivarail D-Train in the short platform at Long Marston on 17 August 2015. The D-Train, rebuilt around former LU D78 stock, is currently undergoing testing here [see recent news item].
Ian Dinmore 17/08/2015


Long Marston: Ex-LU D78 car with 'modified front end' in the yard at Long Marston on 17 August 2015. The 'modification' resulted from a controlled crash into a 3 tonne tank of water during testing of the bodyshells ...
Ian Dinmore 17/08/2015

An unusual project to convert retired London Underground District line cars into diesel-powered units may be about to pay off, after London Midland announced that a 'D-Train' could enter service on its local route between Coventry and Nuneaton this year.
The line has been in the news after attempts to cater for sports crowds at the Ricoh Stadium in Coventry with hired rolling stock failed to pay their way, with fans being advised to use road transport instead because the usual single-car unit on the line would not be able to cope.
London Midland had also said that there were no guarantees that more rolling stock would necessarily be available on match days unless it was specially hired, and so it was reluctant to advertise extra services.
The three-car 'D-Train' may help to solve the problem, and also provide more capacity for regular passengers. It has been developed by Warwickshire-based Vivarail, which has bought redundant D78 stock from London Underground.
(Permalink) Class 230 D-Train Vivarail


Coventry Arena: This recently opened station would be handy for the Ricoh Arena, if it was open before and after sporting events. See image [[54104]] I await the next trade show, e.g. for computer gamers, to see whet ...
Ken Strachan 31/01/2016


Long Marston: Vivarail D-Train in the short platform at Long Marston on 17 August 2015. The D-Train, rebuilt around former LU D78 stock, is currently undergoing testing here [see recent news item].
Ian Dinmore 17/08/2015


Long Marston: Ex-LU D78 car with 'modified front end' in the yard at Long Marston on 17 August 2015. The 'modification' resulted from a controlled crash into a 3 tonne tank of water during testing of the bodyshells ...
Ian Dinmore 17/08/2015

Vivarail has begun dynamic testing of its prototype D-Train DMU on the test track at its base at Long Marston in central England.

The project involves rebuilding former London Underground D78 metro cars rendered surplus by the introduction of new Bombardier trains on the District Line.
(Permalink) Class 230 D-Train D78 Vivarail

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