Very Light Rail Technology

[Jorge Da Silva]

Very Light Rail technology could provide a cheap solutions to unprofitable branch lines. Where could this be used?

Video about it:

In summary the video states that VLR will provide a light, cheap and economical solution to small unprofitable branch lines. It intends to cut pollution, provide a light and easy solution for passengers as well as them being fully autonomous and battery operated.

This is due to be experimented and tested in Dudley at a new centre and test track. (not in the video).

 

[DenmarkRail]

Very Light Rail technology could provide a cheap solutions to unprofitable branch lines. Where could this be used?

Video about it:

We don't need this... We need a better 15X replacement, such as Lints, and more Desiros (Europe Style). These are to small. If we invest in the lines, then we get more people.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

We don't need this... We need a better 15X replacement, such as Lints, and more Desiros (Europe Style). These are to small. If we invest in the lines, then we get more people.

It worked with Stourbridge Line!

 

[DenmarkRail]

It worked with Stourbridge Line!

Thats different to most lines. Would you really want this on a stopper service from Exeter to Penzance? No.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

Thats different to most lines. Would you really want this on a stopper service from Exeter to Penzance? No.

I’m think more like small lines such as Oxford-Cowley. I know it’s yet to be built but other examples like Stourbridge to Brierley Hill Planned by WMT.

 

[The Planner]

Stourbridge to Brierley Hill is proposed to be heavy rail, though I am willing to bet that scheme gets quietly dropped soon as I don't think Stourbridge station will work with the reversals.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It worked with Stourbridge Line!

I was going to say "isn't a PPM basically that, albeit with a slightly odd design of transmission"?

I think there is a role in light-rail-ising branch lines that don't have through running, in the 2020s that maybe need not involve OHLE if batteries are a viable option. It has quite a few advantages, such as "drive on sight" allowing level crossings to work more safely, and low floor platforms making new stations much cheaper and easier to construct. I think the Valley Lines projects (see the other threads on those) are potentially a very interesting thing to watch, being a conversion that is quite different from Metrolink.

 

[Along the bay]

Might work on the Conwy valley line but theyre getting civitys

 

[Old Hill Bank]

Stourbridge to Brierley Hill is proposed to be heavy rail, though I am willing to bet that scheme gets quietly dropped soon as I don't think Stourbridge station will work with the reversals.

I see that issue as well they really need seperate Worcester/Kidderminster-Brierley Hill service.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Might work on the Conwy valley line but theyre getting civitys

Summer loadings are a bit high for that to work I think, regular light rail might work but as you say KeolisAmey have decided it's better to keep it as heavy rail and use the same trains as on the mainline for simplicity (which is really quite an upgrade given that it's always got the cast-offs[1] from elsewhere in the past).

[1] OK, enthusiasts, me included, loved the Class 101s, but to daily passengers they really were rattly old garbage that was got rid of from most of the rest of Regional Railways years earlier; the 150s and 153s are getting increasingly tatty and now are becoming the same thing.

 

[Along the bay]

Summer loadings are a bit high for that to work I think, regular light rail might work but as you say KeolisAmey have decided it's better to keep it as heavy rail and use the same trains as on the mainline for simplicity (which is really quite an upgrade given that it's always got the cast-offs[1] from elsewhere in the past).

[1] OK, enthusiasts, me included, loved the Class 101s, but to daily passengers they really were rattly old garbage that was got rid of from most of the rest of Regional Railways years earlier; the 150s and 153s are getting increasingly tatty and now are becoming the same thing.

Yes your right about that
Although I'm sure 153s no longer work the route or at least i haven't seen one on there since at least 2010

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

Thats different to most lines. Would you really want this on a stopper service from Exeter to Penzance? No.

I think the main idea is for reopen smaller lines or provide new links with cheaper solutions.

 

[PeterC]

I would be interested to see the costings comparing adding an additional heavy rail train to a homogeneous fleet to having a dedicated mini fleet.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would be interested to see the costings comparing adding an additional heavy rail train to a homogeneous fleet to having a dedicated mini fleet.

Let's put it this way - if the Marston Vale had wires and 80m platforms I doubt they would be planning a microfleet for that.

 

[bussnapperwm]

Very Light Rail technology could provide a cheap solutions to unprofitable branch lines. Where could this be used?

Video about it:

In summary the video states that VLR will provide a light, cheap and economical solution to small unprofitable branch lines. It intends to cut pollution, provide a light and easy solution for passengers as well as them being fully autonomous and battery operated.

This is due to be experimented and tested in Dudley at a new centre and test track. (not in the video).

Ironically the test track was proposed to be in the Dudley tunnels, on the Walsall to Stourbridge lines.

I’m think more like small lines such as Oxford-Cowley. I know it’s yet to be built but other examples like Stourbridge to Brierley Hill Planned by WMT.

Stourbridge to Brierley Hill is planned to be 172 operated.

Stourbridge to Brierley Hill is proposed to be heavy rail, though I am willing to bet that scheme gets quietly dropped soon as I don't think Stourbridge station will work with the reversals.

Easy. Make the line into P2 from Brierley Hill bidi, have city bound trains from Brierley Hill use that and have P3 for Birmingham to Brierley Hill trains.

The scheme has been too widely publicised for it to be dropped, and I know that I for one will be very unhappy if it is dropped as it will provide better connectivity for the borough of Dudley.

 

[The Planner]

Boom, and the costs are massive due to the extra signalling needed.

 

[jacksouth]

Hmm. I also have some concerns about this, but it's an interesting proposal nonetheless.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

What lines could reopen with VLR?

Some Suggestion

• Witney-Oxford
• Cirencester (Chesterton Lane)-Kemble
• Marlborough-Bedwyn
• Radstock-Frome
• Shepton Mallet-Frome
• Ludgershall-Andover
• Appledore-Lydd
• Toton-Fawley
• Axminster-Lyme Regis
• Feniton-Sidmouth
• Heathfield-Newton Abbot

PDF:

https://www.cenex-lcv.co.uk/storage...f_delivering_low_cost_railways_1537363565.pdf

Here are some things mentioned:

Very Light Rail
• A potential enabler of lower‐cost connectivity of urban, suburban and rural areas, including replacement of traditional tram solutions, the revitalisation of unprofitable branch lines and reopening of previously closed ‘Beeching’ lines
• A possible element in ‘last mile’ public transport journeys

What is VLR?
• Very light weight vehicles (less than 1 tonne per linear metre) which can operate on less substantial track and infrastructure (lower costs of construction, operation and maintenance)
• Transfer of technology from the automotive sector (proven solutions, high quality, low cost, reduced risk)
• Self‐propelled to eliminate expensive overhead electrification
• Vehicles designed for low cost manufacture allowing lower prices and bigger fleets
• Light weight slab track enabling fast installation and reduced maintenance costs
• Digital control to eliminate track side signals; autonomy to eliminate the cost of drivers BUT....VLR vehicles do not have ‘mainline crashworthiness’
Revolution VLR Project
• Consortium awarded £1.1m by RSSB from the Radical Train Competition in 2014 to create a very light‐weight railcar with novel hybrid‐drive self‐propelled bogies
• Phase 1 completed in September 2016 ‐ detailed vehicle concept design and propulsion solution submitted to RSSB
• Phase 2 commenced January 2018, with £2.75m funding from DfT/RSSB. The £5.5m project will deliver a fully functional vehicle demonstrator by April 2020
• Eversholt Rail has made a significant investment in Phase 2 and is working to identify the first routes for operation



•
Initial Routes and Future Mainline Operation
Segregated Routes
• RSSB has identified more than 30 routes in the UK where VLR technology could be used to transform uneconomic rural lines or enable lines closed in the Beeching era to be reopened and operated at much reduced cost.
• Train operating companies such as Northern, Arriva and Abellio have identified additional mothballed alignments that they would like to see re‐opened.
• Rolling stock company, Eversholt Rail, intends to be the first mover in the introduction of VLR
Mainline Operation
• For more widespread applications, a collaborative forum is to be set up with representatives from ORR, RSSB, Network Rail, ROSCOs and TOCs to work towards appropriate safety standards and operating protocols.

 

[Peter Kelford]

Doesn't this look and sound a bit like a tram? Most european trams are vaguely similar.