Welcome to Vivarail
Designers and manufacturers of the ground-breaking Class 230: a train for today and tomorrow.
“delivering local rail solutions”
A Modular train
It is able to run as a DMU, EMU, battery or battery hybrid depending on the power supplies available.
Power specification
It can change or upgrade from its original power specification with a minimum amount of effort.
Interior layout
Its interior layout can be tailored from crowd-busting commuter services to tourists with bikes or families with buggies.
Maintenance
It is practically maintenance free requiring only infrequent returns to a main depot.
Remote monitoring
Its remote condition monitoring systems both analyse performance and warn if problems occur.
Highest quality
It has been built using the highest quality systems and materials from a trusted team of suppliers.
Simplicity of operation and ease of maintenance were key drivers in the engine’s modular design.
Powerpack modules are housed beneath the train, two on each driving car, each pack has an Engine and a Genset to power the motors on the bogies. Routine maintenance for oil or filters is easily undertaken by:
- Disconnecting the fuel and air hoses
- Unhooking the safety catches
- Lifting out with a pallet truck
The whole operation takes ten minutes and can be carried out using a concrete pad by the side of the track. Combined with the train’s state-of-the-art remote condition monitoring system and AC motors, both routine and unforeseen maintenance needs are cut down considerably.
Vivarail delivering local rail solutions
As a D78 the train was electrically powered by a third rail. The original Vivarail concept was to provide the electrical power using a diesel engine, thus creating a DEMU. However the train does not mind where the supply originates. Third rail, overhead lines, batteries or even power packs: the train can draw the required current from any of these sources. With a light bodyshell the Class 230 is perfect for new power technologies.
And its modular design means it is easy to change when needed. For lines due for future electrification, a DMU could be prepared for change to an EMU. Where features, such as tunnels, make full line electrification uneconomic the train could operate as an EMU/battery hybrid.
This patented system allows alternative power packs to be used in the future as technology develops.
“Seen it. Travelled in it. Like it. It’s no ‘cast off’ – where it counts it’s a new train. It deserves to do well.”
“Fascinating visit to Vivarail, I have no doubt they will be successful”
“The trains look promising: cheaper than new, interiors can be configured in a number of ways to suit need different markets, are diesel powered so could fill in gaps while electric wires are put up and designed to be easy to maintain. Often passengers think refurbished trains are actually new – they can feel like it.”
“Fascinating trip to Vivarail today for launch of the innovative D-train – a great concept, cutting costs & carbon”
“Initially sceptical about Vivarail’s D-Train concept – now I’ve seen & ridden on prototype I’m convinced it’s viable”
Vivarail News
First trip on 230006
As part of its testing before it goes into service 230006 has been accumulating miles on the Cotswold Line. Today was the first day Adrian Shooter rode on the train - the UK's first battery hybrid being built for Transport for Wales to operate the Borderlands...
New images of 230006 on the mainline
The UK's first battery hybrid has been out of the mainline for testing and mileage accumulation for weeks now. It has successfully completed hundreds of miles running on the Cotswold line most days. This photo taken at Honeybourne comes courtesy of Peter Tandy...
40 miles on battery power – a UK first for Vivarail
Vivarail’s Class 230 battery train has achieved a UK first by travelling 40 miles on battery power alone. In testing runs through the autumn the train reliably ran this distance many times. The Class 230 battery train is fully approved and ready for passenger...