British Rail Class 230

The British Rail Class 230 ''D-Train'' is a diesel electric multiple unit or battery EMU built by rolling stock manufacturer Vivarail for the British rail network. The units are converted from old London Underground D78 Stock, originally manufactured in 1980 by Metro-Cammell. The conversion re-uses the D78's aluminium bodyshells with new interiors. It runs on the same bogies but these are rebuilt to as-new standard by Wabtec and fitted with brand new three-phase AC induction motors sourced from Austria. The initial build of three vehicles for London Northwestern Railway replaces the four-rail traction-current system with four diesel gen-sets, driving eight traction motors via purpose built electronic traction control units.

In this configuration, every wheel is driven and all are braked by a computer-controlled blended reactive/pneumatic braking system, allowing for optimum braking performance in all weather conditions.

The type has been assigned the designation of Class 230 under TOPS.

During August 2016, a prototype was produced for testing and accreditation; the type was planned to be prepared to enter passenger service during the following year. During July 2016, it was announced that the prototype was to be tested in mainline service on the Coventry to Nuneaton Line over a 12-month period with operator London Midland; however, this trial deployment had to be postponed after the prototype was damaged by a fire and could not be repaired quickly enough. It is proposed that up to 75 units may be converted, with each unit consisting of two or three cars. During October 2017, West Midlands Trains announced that it would procure three 2-car D-Trains for the Marston Vale line and the first unit entered service in April 2019.

History

During November 2014, Vivarail purchased 150 driving motor cars and 300 carriages of London Underground D78 Stock, which has been replaced by S Stock before the end of their lifespan, so that the subsurface lines (Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan) could have a common rolling stock fleet compatible with a new ATO system. The stated purpose of the D-train is to ameliorate a perceived shortage of affordable, modern rolling stock on Britain's regional rail routes, resulting from the slow pace of electrification. In the conversion programme, the company re-uses the aluminium bodyshells, traction motors and bogies from the D78 units, and fits them out with new diesel engines and interiors.

Two prototype units are being operated by Vivarail, designated as 230001 and 230002. The diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) 230001 is a three-car unit; each of these is outfitted with passenger fitting and fixtures, including seats, tables, a single toilet, onboard Wi-Fi, and electrical charging points. 230001 retains the original Brush DC traction motors, however future units will make use of TSA AC motors.

Unit 230002, which was completed during 2018, is a battery electric multiple unit, designed for operating on partially electrified routes. It features four 106 kWh battery rafts, which provide for an operational range of 40 miles (64 km), requiring an eight-minute charge after each journey. The battery-powered train can be charged through an automatic charging point. Alternative means of charging the two-car vehicle include the use of a static battery bank to provide an electric supply of either 11 kV or 33 kV. Reportedly, the train requires a minimum of 750 V to operate.

The first D78 units were delivered to Vivarail on 19 January 2015; conversion of a single car prototype to facilitate testing and marketing activities commenced shortly thereafter. By summer 2016, this prototype have been completed and was running live tests upon Vivarail's own test track. During November 2016, main line testing of the units began, the prototype unit being based at the Tyseley Locomotive Works while it was operating to and from Leamington Spa railway station. In December 2016 one of the units caught fire during testing, leading to the postponement of further trials. During March 2017, it was announced that testing of the battery-powered demonstrator had commenced at the Quinton Rail Technology Centre. In February 2018, Vivarail announced that its first two-car battery unit was approaching completion and was projected to run on the main line network during that summer.

The first unit entered service with West Midlands Trains (as London Northwestern Railway) on 23 April 2019. almost exactly two years after the last D78 Stock ran on the London Underground on 21 April 2017.

Vivarail, the manufacturer of the class, entered administration in December 2022. As a result of this, West Midlands Trains (London Northwestern Railway) has withdrawn services on the Marston Vale Line, due to no longer being able to receive the maintenance that is required.

Design

The Class 230 D-Train is a family of trains, functioning either as a diesel electric multiple unit or a battery EMU dependent upon the configuration used, developed and produced by Vivarail for use on the National Rail network. According to the manufacturer, it is to be available in different layouts with various amenities, which are to be configured in order to conform with the specific requirements of a given operator to better adapt the vehicle for its operating environment. In general, the D-Train is to be fitted with accessible toilets, refreshment trolleys, at-seat tables, Wi-Fi, smart storage solutions and iPad holders. '' Rail Magazine'' reports that each car is furnished with two underfloor engine-generator sets; Vivarail has claimed that the fuel consumption is roughly 0.5 litre per car per mile (7.5 miles per gallon per car); this is about half the fuel consumption of a Pacer. That information applies to two-car units; three-car units instead have four gensets in the centre car and none in the driving cars. The maximum speed is .

When adapted to its ''City'' configuration, a single D-Train would operate as either two- and three-cars per unit. The two-car vehicle is to be configured to accommodate 86 seats per unit and, including standing room, provides for a total passenger capacity of 188. The three-car vehicle, when fitted with 140 longitudinal seats, will have a total passenger capacity of 294, including those standing. For the ''Country'' layout, each D-train unit is to be a three-car formation, which would accommodate 163 seats along with a total capacity of 291. In its ''Commuter'' variant, the D-Train features either two and three cars per unit. The two-car vehicle accommodates 114 mixed-type seats for a total carrying capacity of 188 passengers. The three-car vehicle, furnished with 172 longitudinal seats, accommodated up to 297 passengers, while the three-car vehicle with 154 transverse seats will carry 147 standing passengers additionally.

The construction practices for producing the D-Train have been promoted as being carbon-neutral as a result of deliberate efforts to reduce the levels of waste, energy consumption, time and costs involved. Much of the savings has been attributed to the reuse of many high-quality elements of the original D-stock rolling stock. Emission-reduction measures have been taken, including the adoption of a diesel engine that incorporates a start-stop system, while the use of trackside maintenance practices has been promoted as contributing to meaningful empty mileage fuel savings as well as lessening its impact upon the environment. The manufacturer promotes the type as being more economical to purchase, operate and maintain, and as well as for its ease of serviceability during a short duration. The D-Train has been anticipated to offer a service life in excess of 25 years.

The trains themselves are former D78 Stock units, originally manufactured by Metro-Cammell of Birmingham. 150 driving motor cars and 150 intermediate trailer cars were purchased at scrap value. The bogies were supplied by Canadian rolling stock manufacturer Bombardier while the D78 Stock was in service with London Underground. The 3.2 litre, five-cylinder diesel engines are manufactured by Ford in South Africa. Lithium Werks (formerly Valance) is the supplier of the battery rafts, while the electronic power control systems are produced by Strukton Rail. The AC traction motors are sourced from specialist Traktionssysteme Austria. Reportedly, the design of the D-Train is compliant with current rail industry emission standards, including the applicable elements of its automotive technology."Class 230 D-Train."
''railway-technology'', Retrieved: 13 May 2018.

Marketing

Overview

Vivarail stated that it planned to pitch the converted trains to a number of train operating companies (TOCs), especially those bidding for the Northern franchise which was awarded in December 2015. The company positioned the D-Train as being a cost-effective alternative to buying brand new rolling stock, enabling TOCs to replace the Pacer railbuses in the north of England with upcycled Underground stock. However, Arriva won the bidding for the Northern franchise in December 2015 with a rolling stock plan that included the procurement of brand new stock, as well as internal and external cascades of existing multiple units.

According to ''BBC Look East'', Vivarail was in talks with bidders for the East Anglia franchise. However, the proposal drew criticism from the Rail Maritime and Transport Union as being a scheme to provide "second-hand" trains to the region instead of new stock. While the East Anglia franchise includes some very rural routes where previously only single carriage trains were used, the successful bidder opted for new stock instead.

Potential customers

In May 2015, it was claimed Arriva Trains Wales was to open talks with Vivarail over taking on converted D78s. Under a recent franchise agreement, FirstGroup

HOME


Content is Copyleft
Website design, code, and AI is Copyrighted (c) 2014-2017 by Stephen Payne


Consider donating to Wikimedia



As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases