AGM, Followed by ‘Vivarail: designing and building low-emission trains in the UK’, by David Horton, 5th April 2022

Watford Branch AGM, Followed by ‘Vivarail: designing and building low-emission trains in the UK’, by David Horton.

April is the new month of our Branch AGM, and this was over fairly quickly as all the current committee were willing to continue and were duly re-elected. We accepted former Branch Chairman Rob Freeman onto the committee making us six in strength. Our treasurer Richard Dyett has been with us since the Branch opened 28 years ago!

After the AGM we welcomed CME Dave Horton from Vivarail for his presentation of this company.

It was founded in 2014 and they decided to buy up the old D Stock trains from LUL. They made a diesel-electric prototype 230 001. Then came a battery version Class 230 002 then Class 230 003/4/5 which are currently running on the Bedford to Bletchley line and have also furnished TfW with units for the Wrexham to Bidston Line, Class 230 006/7/8/9. There is also an electric version Class 484 001-5 which now run on the Isle of Wight.

Several other changes were made with Bombardier looking after the bogie design.

Vivarail Class 230 No. 230 002 departs from Moreton-in-Marsh station, passing the down starter semaphore signal MM5, running as 5T06, the 12:27 test/training run back to Evesham West Junction, one of several test runs during the day, before the return to base at Long Marston. 12:30¼, Friday 13th September 2019. Image Credit: Geoff Plumb

The trains run about 100 miles before recharging and the idea is to charge them at terminals or give them a ‘quick charge’ whilst at intermediate stations with electric rails which are only live when the train is on them. They are due to run on the Greenford Branch in the near future.

Other countries interested are: USA, Mexico, Guatemala, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

There was much engineering detail given with a lively Q&A session.

Dave is also involved locally in the Watford Miniature Railway and the Bricket Wood Station Trust which is renovating the station on the Watford to St. Albans line.

Sadly, only 11 souls were there for what was a very interesting presentation, and that included 4 committee members!!

Rob Davidson, Watford Branch Secretary