‘Dramatically more powerful’: world’s first battery-electric freight train unveiled

[Noel]

It’s coming full circle models were first clockwork, then electric, now 1:1 scale beginnings of pure electrification. Wonder who’s sound chip they’ll use?  the need for urgent climate action demands immediate change. Diesel loco may not be around much longer. The good news is all the alternate tech already exists, nothing needs to be invented, we don’t need to go back to living in caves nor do without the lights on, just make intelligent adjustments to how we consume energy and food, and make an economy out of it at the same time. 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/16/battery-electric-freight-train-wabtec-rail-transport-emissions?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1iiso3-qWpW3aET57rsdQfLZgcT37ZHfJ5xOlr5b3-SPNEBTAocpxAV_M#Echobox=1631823090

 

 

Edited September 18, 2021 by Noel

[Mayner]

 

I have used battery power for about 10 years Phoenix Sound systems http://www.phoenixsound.com/ DCC is a bit too namby pamby for large or 1:1 scale operations.

In a way things are coming full circle from the 1920s and 30s with the development of battery  locos in the United States and the Drumm Train train in Ireland. Short battery life and higher capital cost compared with diesel railcars killed off the Drumm Train, New Zealand railways fitted its battery electric shunting locos with Gensets when the batteries required replacement in the 1950s

 

[Galteemore]

Perhaps these may have a future yet - using surplus industrial steam for shunting is quite eco-friendly……

 

[Noel]

https://electrek.co/2021/09/16/wabtec-unveils-its-battery-electric-train-following-the-first-official-purchase/?fbclid=IwAR21nO-y0IEi4RsoxmuqA2IYfyRZlF-sm70--Cft_xqoTwJvAS66a5FR-F0

[David Holman]

Given the shortage of HGV drivers, you'd think rail freight to transport hubs would be the way to go, especially when aligned to the climate crisis. Smaller vans (though current local delivery vehicles seem to get ever larger) are better suited to battery power than HGVs, while you'd think there is little to stop freight locos towing multiple battery wagons to give themselves the required range and power.

[Mayner]

3 hours ago, David Holman said:

Given the shortage of HGV drivers, you'd think rail freight to transport hubs would be the way to go, especially when aligned to the climate crisis. Smaller vans (though current local delivery vehicles seem to get ever larger) are better suited to battery power than HGVs, while you'd think there is little to stop freight locos towing multiple battery wagons to give themselves the required range and power.

Internationally a number of freight companies are using rail to transport freight between major hubs. In Hamilton (pop. 165k) we currently have two rail served transport hubs serving logistics companies and a further two at development stage on the periphery of the city.  

While the smaller vans used on post and courier work)are likely to be replaced in the not to distant future by electric vehicles, HGVs will still be required for delivery and collections to and from larger supermarkets, retail parks and industrial sites. 

Most of the vans and trucks are owned or leased by 'owner drivers" on contract these companies.

Although our population density is low compared to European or UK standards, rail has an advantage in New Zealand in terms of longer distances between major centers and an economy that based on producing and processing heavy bulky products as opposed to financial services and IT.

 

[spudfan]

Iron ore miner orders heavy-haul battery locomotive | News | Railway Gazette International

[Mike 84C]

My old employer in GB, Moy Park, is I am told moving its diesel powered hgv fleet to gas power. Thats about 70 tractor units.

[leslie10646]

Hi Mike

If a lorry can burn gas, or indeed a bus (our local ones do) - why can't I use my Zero-emission NEW Gas boiler for the next thirty years?

Yeah, I know that you're neither the Energy Minister, or the PM (a Classicist, who knows nothing about science), but WHY NOT?

LM (Fellow sufferer in the Hades of BrexitLand)

[KMCE]

8 minutes ago, leslie10646 said:

why can't I use my Zero-emission NEW Gas boiler for the next thirty years?

Leslie, Perhaps you can. 

We are starting to see bio-methane injection into the natural gas network.  The gas produced from Anaerobic Digestion is being cleaned (or volume increased through hydrogen injection), injected into the gas network and sold on via "certificates" to those users who want to demonstrate their greeen credentials.  As Mike noted above, CNG (compressed natural gas) in transport vehicles, particularly with the introduction of bio-methane provides a clean way of moving forward without the requirement for major modificaitons.  LIkewise, a boiler can run natural gas or bio-methane without any changes - the whole purpose behind this is to create a renewable fuel as a direct replacement.

It's early days yet with single digit percentage of bio-methane in the network, but very promising progress is being made.

Hold on to that boiler for now!

Ken

[leslie10646]

Kenny boy, I ain't gettin' rid of it - I'm still  paying for it on the Never, Never yet!