| Vivarail D-Train | |
|---|---|
 Class 230 prototype | |
| Manufacturer | Metro-Cammell (original construction) Vivarail (conversion) |
| Built at | Quinton Rail Technology Centre (conversion) |
| Replaced | Class 150 Class 153 Class 165 Class 483 |
| Constructed | 2015 - 2022 |
| Operators | |
| Depots | |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminium |
| Car length | Driving Motor: 18.37 m (60 ft 3 in) Other: 18.12 m (59 ft 5 in) |
| Width | 2.85 m (9 ft 4 in) |
| Prime mover(s) | Ford Duratorq |
| Electric system(s) | HoppeckeLi-ion batteries 750 V DC third rail |
| Current collector(s) | Contact shoe |
| Safety system(s) | AWS,TPWS |
| Coupling system | Wedglock |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)standard gauge |
TheVivarail D-Train is a family ofmultiple unitsremanufactured byVivarail for the British rail network. They are converted fromLondon Underground D78 Stock, originally manufactured between 1978 and 1981 byMetro-Cammell. Two versions have been produced: theClass 230diesel electric multiple unit and theClass 484electric multiple unit.
In 2015,Vivarail purchased 226London Underground D78 Stock carriages with the aim of converting them tomultiple units.[2] It was estimated that they would cost one-third of that of a new build train.[3]
A prototype was produced for testing and accreditation in August 2015.[4][5] The initial prototype D-Train was built as a three-car diesel-electric unit, which was completed in the summer of 2016, following which it underwent a programme of main-line testing, with the intention that it be used on a year-long trial service on theCoventry to Nuneaton line byLondon Midland.[6] This was cancelled after the unit caught fire.[7] This unit was first used in passenger service at the 2017 Rail Live exhibition, running a service fromHoneybourne to the event location atQuinton.[8]
The second prototype was built as a two-car battery-electric unit; although self-powered like the original, instead of a diesel engine to power the traction motors, this unit uses batteries that can be recharged from a charging point at each end of its journey. This unit was complete by the summer of 2018, and was put on a testing programme. In October 2018, it was taken to theBo'ness & Kinneil Railway carrying its first passengers.[9] This culminated in the battery powered unit running a distance of 40 miles using battery power alone, a first for a train in the UK, in January 2020.[10]
A feature that has been reintroduced in these units include the passenger door open buttons. Whenfirst introduced in 1980 in unpainted livery the units consisted of door buttons on the exterior and interior pressed by passengers to open the doors. Upon refurbishment, the interior door buttons were removed and the exterior ones were panelled over. After conversion this feature was provided again similar to London Underground pre-refurbishment.
The first full D-Train order came fromWest Midlands Trains, which procured three 2-carClass 230DEMUs for use on theMarston Vale line.[11] These were operated under the London Northwestern Railway brand, with the first entering service on 23 April 2019,[12] but were since withdrawn and replaced with150s.
A second order for Class 230s came fromKeolisAmey Wales, with five 3-car sets ordered. Although these are also Class 230s, rather than straight DEMUs they will be built as diesel/battery hybrid units, to be used on theBorderlands line,Conwy Valley line andChester to Crewe line.[13]
In 2019,South Western Railway announced an order for five 2-car D-Train sets for use by itsIsland Line operation on theIsle of Wight. These were ordered asthird railEMUs, becomingClass 484.[14]
TheRailroad Development Corporation has ordered at least one 2-carClass 230-variant to operate on theIowa Interstate Railroad in 2021 as a "pop-up" metro service.[15]
In February 2022,Great Western Railway announced it had signed a deal with Vivarail to trial a fast-charging battery variant of the Class 230 for use on theWest Ealing to Greenford branch line off theGWML. Trials were expected to launch in late 2022 to early 2023.[16]
| Class | Operator | Introduced | Number | Power | Carriages | Carriage Length (m) | Door configuration | Image | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 230 | Vivarail (prototype) | 2015 | 1 | Diesel-electric | 3 | 18.37 m (60 ft 3 in) (DM) 18.12 m (59 ft 5 in) (T) | Sliding pocket | | |
| Railroad Development Corporation | 2018 | 1 | Battery-electric | 2 | Unveiled in 2018. | ||||
| Stored | 2019 | 3 | Diesel-electric | 2 |  | ||||
| Transport for Wales | 2023 | 5 | Diesel-battery | 3 |  | ||||
| 484 | Island Line | 2021 | 5 | DC electric | 2 |  |