Nicholas Lewis
Established Member
RSSB are running a research project currently under the decarbonisation umbrella
Whose purpose is21st Century DC electrification infill (T1214)
The outcome of this will be used to inform further discussion and debate with ORR and thus will have to use current data to address the safety risks illuminated by this table although it won't have materially changed.Third rail remains a cost-effective solution for electrification and decarbonising the railways when these are close or adjacent to existing 750V DC top contact third rail electrified lines. However, its further use is currently constrained by an unclear position on how to manage the system’s risks through scheme design.
My assessment is battery based EMU's remain the most likely outcome for infill electrification and the main issue that needs to be overcome is managing the recharging method and locations and this is being addressed by another research project.
Battery powered trains: Route to enter into service (T1195)