ProRail and Arriva conduct trial runs with Stadler WINK in battery mode

Dutch infrastructure manager ProRail and Arriva last week conducted trial runs with a modified Stadler WINK train set in battery mode. The parties involved evaluated charging rate, energy consumption and the switch from overhead lines to battery power alone.

The test runs were conducted across the provinces of Overijssel and Gelderland on sections of track that are not fully electrified. ProRail wants to eventually abandon diesel-powered trains on the 572 kilometres of tracks that remain without overhead lines. Installing those lines are costly and time consuming, making battery trains a viable alternative. The outcome of the trials will assist in the decision on whether or not to purchase such train sets in the future.

The WINK uses its pantograph to charge its batteries will running on sections with overhead lines. Once on sections without, the train can switch to battery power alone. The train set used during the trials used the battery packs that normally serve to store energy recuperated from deceleration and braking as its main power source for propulsion. The train had to be modified because the first battery trains capable of using the current 1,500 kV overheadlines won’t make it to market until 2023.

A version of this article first appeared on SpoorPro, the Dutch sister publication of RailTech.com

Further reading:

• DB Regio orders more FLIRT Akku battery trains from Stadler
• Stadler bags biggest contract in company’s history
• Stadler’s FLIRT Akku sets world record for battery-only range
• Stadler acquires German signalling company BBR
• Stadler takes over Swiss company BÄR to advance trackside signalling
• Stadler wins ‘largest tender in Swiss history’