Vivarail exports to USA

[Bletchleyite]

Also we discussed recently in another thread how much of America hasn't had a local rail passenger service in living memory, and a lot of the population hasn't used one on visits to other cities either. So a demonstration could help build public support and also provide some calibration for these factors in the demand predictions. The concept of a "starter line" has been used quite often in light rail in the States - building a fairly short section at relatively low cost and see how it goes before considering any extensions.

FWIW the units are not at all unpleasant above the floor, being a bit like a Stadler FLIRT on the cheap (as the layout is a bit irregular). The issues with them are mechanical unreliability and slow doors.

So if they are well supported through a demo, people may well like them.

 

[Gag Halfrunt]

The demonstrator is a battery train, so it won't have any engine problems.

 

[peters]

I'll try and put this delicately - are D78 seats the ideal size for the average american? I'm not so sure...

Do the seats on the Northern class 150s fit the average Brit based on the average heights and weights of Brits in 2021? I'd guess not, it doesn't stop them being used by Northern.

 

[Chris125]

Do the seats on the Northern class 150s fit the average Brit based on the average heights and weights of Brits in 2021? I'd guess not, it doesn't stop them being used by Northern.

True, but Northern aren't trying to flog their trains in America.

 

[D365]

Fundamentally the product is of poor quality, mostly below the solebar (design and build). That will need to be addressed before any more are sold.

Beg to differ. Admittedly the engine rafts have been the weak point by far, but the engineering itself is sound. It will be easy to swap the diesel engines for an upgraded version in the future.

 

[Cowley]

Thread reopened for @Speed43125 to provide an update.

 

[Speed43125]

Vivarail supplies train stock for US 'Pop-Up Metro' concept | RailBusinessDaily

For the second time, Vivarail has sent battery train stock to America as it looks to a "Pop-up Metro" concept. On 9 April two cars were shipped to For the second time, Vivavrail has sent battery train stock to America as it looks to a "Pop-up Metro" concept.

news.railbusinessdaily.com

For the second time, Vivarail has sent battery train stock to America as it looks to a “Pop-up Metro” concept.

On 9 April two cars were shipped to Baltimore. They will join their sister vehicles in Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania [Rockhill Trolley Museum], where they will undergo testing and demonstrations.

They are being used as part of a concept where trains are put into action on underutilised lines. These “Pop-Up Metro” lines offer lower cost, lower risk and faster starts, Vivarail says.

Henry Posner III, chairman of Vivarail shareholder Railroad Development Corporation said: “There’s a lot of excitement about the possibilities that our Pop-Up Metro proposition brings to the Americas.

“With two trains we are now positioned to act on multiple opportunities at the same time. This is critical in positioning Pop-Up Metro as an alternative for the industry at a time when both rail access and decarbonisation have become national priorities. It also helps that the trains are stylish and comfortable.”

Steve McBride, managing director of Vivarail said: “We’re incredibly proud that the technology we created in the UK is leading the way for battery-powered train operations in the Americas.

“This opens up a new market for Vivarail’s technology and shows that battery-power is a viable and efficient solution to decarbonise the railway.”

A second BEMU numbered 230011 has been exported for the RDC pop-up initiative, the overall story is that this will allow for multiple simultaneous pop-up operations.

The Pop-Up Metro is offered as a complete leasing package that just requires a branch line or short-line railroad with temporal separation so freight traffic can continue. There are over 600 such lines in the US, carrying 30% of the nation’s rail freight.

 

[Taunton]

I presume RDC - Railroad Development Corporation - is a play on the title of the last USA serious attempt at underfloor DMU type vehicles, the Budd RDC - Rail Diesel Car - of the late 1950s. Even though they've now moved on from diesels.

 

[Speed43125]

I presume RDC - Railroad Development Corporation - is a play on the title of the last USA serious attempt at underfloor DMU type vehicles, the Budd RDC - Rail Diesel Car - of the late 1950s. Even though they've now moved on from diesels.

I would be surprised personally given their broad operations, including involvement with the Swedish Sleeper in this thread.

I do wish them success though as the initiative seems a good one, despite few (if any?) public proposals for these 230s to provide a 'pop-up' service thus far.