Eversholt Rail, a leading rolling stock owning company in the UK, has announced a new deal to fund the development of three new Revolution Very Light Rail (RVLR) vehicles for passenger trials and operation. Manufactured by Transport Design International (TDI), these innovative lightweight passenger trains will run entirely on battery power and produce zero emissions thanks to a new system of lineside fast charging.
Development and Testing
The RVLR vehicles are set to help decarbonise Britain's railways and have already garnered interest from major rail operators who are looking to make rail travel cleaner. Following successful RVLR Demonstrator trials and testing in Ironbridge over the past two years, Eversholt Rail and TDI are now taking the next major step towards series production.
The modular design of the RVLR enables a rapid programme to be achieved with confidence, with assembly commencing in 2024 and the first vehicle ready for passenger operation in 2026.
Passenger Trials and Operation
Eversholt Rail and TDI are currently working with key stakeholders across the UK rail industry to agree on routes and services where operators can run passenger-carrying trials using these new vehicles.
Mary Kenny, CEO of Eversholt Rail, said: "This substantial further investment by Eversholt Rail demonstrates our commitment to delivering innovative, sustainable, and attractive new rail products for the UK market. We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Transport Design International."
Partnership and Investment
Sam Wauchope, Chairman of Transport Design International, added: "This joint investment is fantastic news for RVLR, and we are looking forward to working with Eversholt Rail to deliver this groundbreaking product that will modernise lower-density parts of the UK rail network with an environmentally sustainable and economic solution. TDI is investing in a new manufacturing facility for these vehicles, and as part of this programme, we are developing our in-service charging technology, an essential for battery-only operations."
Technological Developments and Support
To ensure they remain at the cutting edge of this emerging technology, TDI is supported by Innovate UK for its ongoing technological developments in this sector. The innovation and light-weighting technology behind RVLR is superb, and TDI is immensely proud of its UK-based engineering team.
Summary
The RVLR vehicles are set to revolutionize rail travel in the UK, providing an environmentally sustainable and economic solution for lower-density parts of the rail network. With zero emissions and a modular design that enables rapid production, these innovative lightweight passenger trains are sure to be a game-changer for the UK rail industry.
(This article is sourced from globalrailwayreview.com and curated by Thetransporteronline24)
