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Class 507 now battery powered

Discussion in 'Diesel & Electric Traction' started by Paul.Uni, Sep 2, 2026.

  1. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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    Video of first moves under battery power are on Youtube:


    Sent from my SM-A166B using Tapatalk
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2026
    Paul.Uni, Sep 2, 2026
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  2. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    Brilliant.

    Where are the batteries and what technology are they? I'd sooner see one of these than another Pacer...
     
    The Green Howards, Sep 2, 2026
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  3. Sawdust

    Sawdust Member

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    Sawdust, Sep 2, 2026
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  4. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    Excellent news!

    As well as making it suitable for operation, does that mean it can be stored with the power still on, and avoid the problems a lot of MUs get when sat unpowered?

    If you take it to the Spa Valley, could you plug it into their carriage shed solar panels and become a zero-carbon operation?
     
    Bikermike, Sep 3, 2026
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  5. William Fletcher

    William Fletcher Member

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    I guess this means it's no longer going to Tanat Valley?
     
    William Fletcher, Sep 4, 2026
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  6. NWRail

    NWRail New Member

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    You have batteries underneath and tow a 750v generator to keep it topped up so you have spare power on tap for rapid acceleration and increased passenger loading.
     
    NWRail, Sep 4, 2026
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  7. bluetrain

    bluetrain Well-Known Member

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    There are precedents for something like that. Some examples in this paper:

    https://applrguk.co.uk/media/files/lruk lrapplrgelectrictractionbeyondthewiressm-jh v.11 08 11.pdf

    In particular, in 1930s Argentina, some suburban passenger services began to be operated by EMUs that obtained their electric power from an attached "mobile power station" vehicle. Imagine a Hastings DEMU where the diesel engine and electric generator are housed in a separate vehicle instead of within a passenger carriage.
     

    Attached Files:

    bluetrain, Sep 4, 2026
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  8. Phill S

    Phill S New Member

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    This is encouraging. I think the preservation movement will regret the loss of historic electric stock we've seen in the last decade or two.
     
    Phill S, Sep 16, 2026 at 10:26 AM
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