A class 230, a class 614 and a class 799: COP 26, Glasgow Oct&Nov 2021
During the COP 26 Climate Summit, the eyes of the world were on Glasgow and it was seen as a chance to show off some advances in some more eco friendly advances in rail technology such as hydrogen and battery power to a wider audience, including Royalty and heads of Government.
Visiting Glasgow was Viva Rail's battery powered three car ex District line D Stock: 230001 and Porterbrook Rail's bi mode multiple unit 799201, whilst at Bo'ness Arcola Rail's former class 314, now 614209 and converted to Hydrogen power was also on display.
230001
Viva Rail's class 230: 230001 (vehicles 300001 / 300201 / 300101) was developed from ex London Underground District line D78 stock (LU vehicles 7058 / 17128 / 7511), originally as a DEMU, but now as a battery unit with a range of up to 100km, with the batteries able to be recharged in 10 minutes!
The Grey, purple and black with Vivarail “Clean Energy/Fast Charge” slogans liveried 230001 arrived at Polmadie by low loader on 24th October and began test and press runs between Glasgow Central and Barrhead / Kilmarnock from 27th October to 29th October. The unit did manage a trip further afield with a trip from Polmadie - Inverkeithing Yard on Friday 29th October and a return trip over the Forth Bridge back to Polmadie, which doubled as a Press run, following a naming ceremony, where 230001 was named 'Viva Venturer'. On weekdays during the COP 26 conference, 230001 would make the short journey into Central Station from Polmadie and would operate between Glasgow and Barrhead either 2 or 3 times per afternoon. During the course of the conference, both Prince Charles and Prime Minister, Boris Johnson were amongst the visiting dignatories to have a look on board.
| 230001 at Glasgow Central | Vivarail's battery powered Class 230 three car 'D' train 230001, which was converted from former London Underground 'D78' stock, is seen arriving at Glasgow Central with 5Z09 ECS working from Barrhead. 230001 is in Glasgow to demo different forms of renewable power sources during the COP 26 conference 29.10.21 |
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| 230001 at Glasgow Central | Vivarail's battery powered Class 230 three car 'D' train 230001, which was converted from former London Underground 'D78' stock, is seen at Glasgow Central having arrived with 5Z09 ECS working from Barrhead. 29.10.21 |
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| 380110 and 230001 at Glasgow Central | 380110 is seen at Platform 12 in Glasgow Central awaiting it's next departure as Vivarail's battery powered protoype unit 230001 is seen having arrived with 5Z09 ECS working from Barrhead 29.10.21 |
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| 230001 at Glasgow Central | Vivarail's battery powered Class 230 three car 'D' train 230001, which was converted from former London Underground 'D78' stock, is awaiting departure from at Glasgow Central with 5Z07 ECS working to Polmadie. 29.10.21 |
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| 230001 departing Glasgow Central |
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| 230001 at Dalmeny | Vivarail's battery powered Class 230 three car 'D' train 230001 'Viva Venturer', which was converted from former London Underground 'D78' stock, is seen arriving at Dalmeny having just crossed the Forth Rail Bridge with 5Z12 Inverkeithing yard to Polmadie working. 30.10.21 |
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| 230001 at Dalmeny | Vivarail's battery powered Class 230 three car 'D' train 230001 'Viva Venturer', which was converted from former London Underground 'D78' stock, is seen pausing at Dalmeny with 5Z12 Inverkeithing yard to Polmadie working. 30.10.21 |
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799201
799201 is the second of two tri-mode multiple units adapted from class 319 EMUs (799001 was adapted from 319001 and 799201 was adapted from 319382). The existing 25KV overhead line and 750V Third rail equipment has been retained with both units featuring a full carriage sized hydrogen fuel cell. Porterbrook hope to eventually be able to make the fuel cell to fit in the underframe of the units.
The adaptation of 319001 into 799001 began in 2018 and the unit was unveiled on 20 June 2019. The project became known as 'Hydroflex' and 799001 made its first mainline appearance on testing in September 2020, reaching 50 mph through Warwickshire.
The project evolved and a second unit was required so 319382 became 799201 for showcasing at COP 26. 799201 features a Green livery with COP26 branding and earth vynals around the cab sides. One of 799201's Driving Trailers contains the hydrogen cells, while vehicle 71980 was fitted out with a boardroom styled interior for the COP26 Summit.
799201, consisting of vehicles 77975, 63094, 71980 and 77976 was hauled from Long Marston, where it is based to Mossend on 3rd November 2021 by 57312 and made it's debut run on 4th November, traveling from Mossend to Glasgow Central and travelling 2-3 journeys non stop around the Cathcart Circle (via the outer track) before returning to Mossend, 799201 ran on electric power for the duration of the summit. 799201 made daily runs on weekdays up to 11th November, with the unit returning south on 12th November. Over the course of the conference, both Prince Charles and Prime Minister, Boris Johnson were amongst the many visiting dignatories to have a look on board.
| 799201 at Maxwell Park | Porterbrook Rail's HydroFLEX prototype unit 799201 is seen passing through Maxwell Park on the Cathcart Circle with 2Z02 13.50 Glasgow Central - Glasgow Central via the Cathcart Circle. 799201 is in Glasgow to demonstrate Hydrogen powered technology 5.11.21 |
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| 799201 at Maxwell Park | Porterbrook Rail's HydroFLEX prototype unit 799201 is seen having passed through Maxwell Park on the Cathcart Circle with 2Z02 13.50 Glasgow Central - Glasgow Central via the Cathcart Circle. 5.11.21 |
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| 799201 at Whifflet | Porterbrook Rail's HydroFLEX prototype unit 799201 is seen pausing at Whifflet with 5Z01 14.39 Glasgow Central - Whifflet. 5.11.21 |
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| 799201 at Whifflet | Porterbrook Rail's HydroFLEX prototype unit 799201 departs Whifflet with 5Z01 14.39 Glasgow Central - Whifflet. 5.11.21 |
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614209
The third and final unit, 614209 (vehicles 64599, 71458 and 64600), was still being worked on at Bo'ness during COP 26, however a series of visits was set up by Arcola Energy to showcase the progress made on the former class 314 unit during its conversion from an EMU to hydrogen power.
314209 was withdrawn from service on Friday 13th December, a day before the final withdrawal of the class 314 fleet, having worked on evening peak Neilston services with 314210 and was probably the unit which was in the best condition compared to the then remaining 314 fleet. Despite the scrapping of the other units, 314209 remained stored at Yoker for almost, until it was transferred under it's own power from Yoker to Shields depot on 16th December 2020 for onward transport by low loader to Bo'ness over 17th and 18th December 2020.
Work started on the conversion of the 314 to Hydrogen power in January 2021 and has involved the removal of most of the original electrical equipment from the 314 either for refurbishment or for replacement. New equipment fitted has included AC motors (314209's original motors were DC), a new system of batteries to allow it to run off battery power if required and hydrogen tanks fitted below the underframe. The interior of the unit is also being refurbished with the old seating having been removed and replaced with Pendolino style seating and new flooring. The original wall panels and lighting has been maintained. The Pantograph trailer has been completed, however work is still ongoing on the DMSO vehicles.
314209 became 614209 in October 2021 and has been outshopped in Scotrail Saltire Blue with 'Scottish Hydrogen Train project' branding. The aim is for 614209, to move under its own power around the yard at Bo’ness in March 2022 and and over the full length of the 5 1/2 mile long line in May 2022. 614209 was on static display at Bo'ness station during COP 26.
| 314209 at Gourock | 314209 seen at Gourock having arrived with 1G05 11.55 Glasgow Central - Gourock 6.4.18 |
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| 314209 at Yoker | Seen from the Kelso St overbridge, the final remaining fully intact Class 314, 314209, is seen stabled in a siding at Yoker Depot 24.7.20 |
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| 314209 at Bo'ness | Vehicle 64600 from 314209 is seen being delivered by low loader to Bo'ness, where conversion to hydrogen power will begin 18.12.20 |
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| 71458 at Bo'ness | Pantograph trailer 71458 from the newly renumbered 614209 the former class 314209 at Bo'ness 29.10.21 |
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| 614209 at Bo'ness | DMSO Vehicle 64600 with Pantograph trailer 71458 behind from Arcola Energy's new hydrogen train, 614209 (formerly 314209) are seen at Bo'ness on display for visitors at COP 26 4.11.21 (photo taken through the fence from a public footpath) |
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