The 'secret' train being tested in Shropshire that could revolutionise rural rail journeys

Deep in the heart of the Ironbridge Power Station site, a futuristic-looking train glides along in almost total silence.

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Those behind it say it "reduces all aspects of operating costs" on branch lines.

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The role of Revolution is to extend the outreach of the railway, principally helping to achieve modal shift from road to rail, which we all know is needed for the UK to meet its climate change obligations," explained Tim. "It's really a vehicle that is optimised for relatively short operations on segregated branch lines that run into mainline railways.

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The demonstration vehicle has 56 seats, which is said to often be more than enough for the shorter routes it's designed to run on. This would release longer, heavier trains, to be redeployed in busier areas where the extra seats and standing room they'd provide would be needed.

For those wanting to reopen a railway, Revolution VLR is said to be the answer. Tim explained that by being lighter, the vehicle would not subject any older track still in place to the same stresses as a traditional train, which could allow a railway to be reopened "under budget and ahead of schedule", or in stages.

One of the benefits the train is being tested at Ironbridge is putting that theory to the test; it's been 60 years since the site last saw passenger trains, and coming up to a decade since the last coal trains served the now-demolished power station. Since then, the track has been left in place, but with minimal work it's able to take the weight of Revolution VLR.

What would be the cost of buying these units?

Compliant with what standard?

What I meant was - does being a very light rail mean there is a reduced requirement for crash resistance or is it expected to acheive the same as heavy rail?

As it has RSSB, DfT backing I would expect it to be fully compliant.

What is its crash resistance like?

The RLVR vehicle now has a Demonstrator setup at Ironbridge.

https://transportdesigninternational.com/launching-revolution-very-light-rail-rvlr/

The problem is that so many of the obvious routes for this sort of thing were shut down in the 60s. Neath Riverside to Hereford via Brecon is the one that immediately springs to mind for me. I'd quite enjoy a ride up to Brecon or Hay in something like that.

Toilets are in my view a requirement even for very short journeys, and that in turn means a disabled toilet, which suggests the need for either two vehicles or a long and articulated vehicle.

I can the merit in lightweight bus-like rail vehicles for secondary routes

This does not look like anything other than an early days start up - it shares its office address with Startford upon Avon Citizens Advice Bureau.

Could there be something more useful if they were designed to be two car units, with perhaps a capacity of 120+ (assuming that space released by deleting inner cabs is released for seats)?

We'll know that it's a chimera when the next Go-op proposal is for them to be used on their next wishful route proposal..........

Just when you thought the idea of cheap, light, buslike trains was dead - along come some new ones!

The problem I see with those is that at least a couple of them would be better used not being shuttles:
* Beyond Paignton: just extend the proper trains through to Kingswear. People aren't going to ride the trains if they're going to have to change even to get to Torquay.
* Tytherington? That's one where relaying a short distance of track back into Thornbury would make the line's business case significantly better. And it could be better still as an extension of existing Bristol local services currently terminating at Bristol Parkway.

So diesel, then. That is my main reservation. Hybrid cars are being given the heave-ho 5 years after petrol / diesel cars, despite not being particularly "green". Allowing hybrid new-build trains would seem counter-intuitive.

Just when you thought the idea of cheap, light, buslike trains was dead - along come some new ones!

Big question which I don't see in the text - 4 wheels or 8?

Looks like the sort out the equality access for loos on a single coach train by levelling down - no loo for anyone?" Business case ... line extensions and re-openings" it says. Likely good to try on existing freight lines and perhaps for the peak contra-flow train on line with one ended peak traffic ... sorry to sound so negative.   Possibly short and frequent routes?

The CaFiBo Carbon Fibre Bogie project has completed testing of its prototype, using the Huddersfield Adhesion and Rolling Contact Laboratory Dynamic test rig (Harold). The bogie weighs 350kg, compared to 936kg for the current steel version. All in, with steel fitting and fixings, there is a 36 per cent weight saving over a standard bogie. The design uses sustainable recycled carbon fibre and is compatible with existing hardware. Remote condition monitoring equipment is integrated into the design.   

Used across the GB fleet, the bogie could save an estimated £11.5 billion over a 35-year lifespan, from reductions in energy use and lower track access charges. The team also estimates a cut of 2.3 million tons of CO2 over the same period. Further enhancements will be possible through component integration, such as integrated suspension, and the bogie could be part of the design of lightweight passenger and freight vehicles.   

INTERIOR

• Air conditioned
• Personal device charging facilities
• Comfortable contemporary interior design
• Seats 56 passengers, overall capacity of 120 passengers
• Wheelchair facility for persons of reduced mobility

CONFIGURATIONS

• Multiple vehicle layout options
• Luggage / bicycle / ski / surfboard storage facilities

Big question which I don't see in the text - 4 wheels or 8?

Looks like the sort out the equality access for loos on a single coach train by levelling down - no loo for anyone?" Business case ... line extensions and re-openings" it says. Likely good to try on existing freight lines and perhaps for the peak contra-flow train on line with one ended peak traffic ... sorry to sound so negative.   Possibly short and frequent routes?

* Paignton to Churston, early morning, late afternoon into evening and all day in winter?
* Bodmin Parkway to Bodmin General shuttle
* Taunton to Minehead, the contra-flow train in the hourly pattern (3 car needed for peak)
* Extras to Gunnislake - the contraflow (passing at Bere Alston)
* Yate to Iron Acton and Tytherington shuttle
* Mendip Vale to Witham, Frome and Westbury
* Castle Cary to Yeovil Junction via Sparkford, Queen Camel and Yeovil Pen Mill

Political will needed - unlikely that any of those would make a good profit but each potentially excellent for the area served?

Just when you thought the idea of cheap, light, buslike trains was dead - along come some new ones!

The project combines extensive rail industry expertise with a range of additional, leading edge innovations from other relevant industries. Revolution utilises both automotive sector lightweight composite structure and hybrid power-train technologies combined with railway-proven systems that will ensure robustness and reliability in the operating environment.

This strategy is focused on providing rail scheme sponsors with a high-quality, affordable and sustainable solution that will facilitate achievement of Government commitments to decarbonisation and assist the business cases for line extensions and re openings.

PASSENGER CAPACITY       56 seated passengers
MAX SPEED                      60 mph
PROPULSION SYSTEM        Diesel electric hybrid battery system
DIMENSIONS                     Length 18.5m, width 2.8m, height 3.8m
ACCESS                           4 single leaf sliding plug doors
DRIVE SYSTEMS                Modal propulsion systems

Around 20 Class 142 units are already in preservation with various heritage railways/museums across the UK. I believe a 143 is headed to the Swindon & Cricklade Railway. No doubt several more 143s will find their way into preservation. Fifteen Class 144s are already with heritage operators.

Although not much liked, they are an important part of railway history and I hope that a few will be preserved.