Great Western Railway (GWR) has announced the development of a device that allows for the charging of train batteries in just three and a half minutes. This system can deliver charging power of up to 2000 kW, eight times more than Tesla Supercharger for electric cars. GWR plans to conduct a trial of this device in the spring at West Ealing station in West London, where battery-powered trains will operate on the two-mile Greenford line.
The operator hopes that this device will pave the way for battery-powered trains to replace diesel trains on 2000 miles of branch lines across the UK, thereby fulfilling the government’s goal of eliminating diesel-only trains by 2040 and achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“Our final tests for the battery-powered train are already underway, and soon a trial will begin that could transform British railways,” said Dr. Simon Green, GWR’s Engineering Director. “The FastCharge technology has been carefully developed by our specialist engineers leading the #GWRInnovation. The full article can be read at…”
Rob Cairns, Interim Managing Director at Network Rail, said: “This trial is an important milestone for sustainable travel in the UK. Rail is already the most environmentally friendly mode of public transportation, and battery-powered trains have the potential to play a significant role in our low-emission railway efforts.”
FAQ Section
1. What device has Great Western Railway (GWR) developed?
GWR has developed a device that allows for the charging of train batteries in three and a half minutes.
2. How much charging power does this device provide?
This device can deliver charging power of up to 2000 kW, which is eight times more than Tesla Supercharger for electric cars.
3. Where will the trial of this device take place?
The trial of this device will be conducted at West Ealing station in West London, on the Greenford line.
4. What goal does the battery-powered train operator aim to achieve?
The operator aims to replace diesel trains with battery-powered trains on 2000 miles of branch lines in the UK, thereby fulfilling the government’s goal of eliminating diesel-only trains by 2040 and achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050.
5. Who developed the FastCharge technology?
The FastCharge technology was developed by specialist engineers leading the #GWRInnovation.
6. What is innovative about this technology?
The FastCharge technology allows the train to operate on a branch line according to the diesel-powered train’s timetable while enabling safe charging with minimal impact on the local power supply.
7. What are the plans for the use of battery-powered trains in the UK?
GWR is committed to eliminating diesel-only passenger trains by 2040.
Vocabulary and Terminology:
– Great Western Railway (GWR) – a British train operating company
– Tesla Supercharger – a fast-charging system for Tesla electric cars
– Battery-powered trains – electric trains powered by energy stored in batteries
– Diesel – fuel used to power combustion engine vehicles
– Zero carbon emissions – no emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
– Department of Transport – a government institution responsible for transportation matters in the UK
– Network Rail – a British company responsible for managing and maintaining the national railway infrastructure
Suggested Related Links:
– Official Great Western Railway (GWR) website
– Official Network Rail website
– Official UK Department of Transport website
The source of the article is from the blog rugbynews.at