Riding The Class 230 Vivarail D-Train

Many views, especially inside the train.

This film shows the first prototype Vivarail conversion of a withdrawn London Underground D78 train into a Class 230 diesel electric train.

The D78 fleet operated on the District Line, which is part of London Underground's subsurface network. Located just below ground level, subsurface tunnels were typically buit in 'cut and cover' mode and when first opened services used steam trains. Subsurface trains have broadly similar dimensions to mainline trains and so should not be confused with the much smaller tube trains.

Although built in the early 1980's D78 trains were extensively refurbished in the early 2000's. The works included fitting of new bogies. These trains have aluminium bodies which do not suffer from rusting.

Vivarail's plan is to meet a looming shortage of diesel trains on the national railway system by converting the electric D78 trains to diesel electric format. A second plan that is still (at the time of writing, July 2017) under development is to create a battery electric train which can top-up charge its batteries during the day. Although little known here in the UK, what is often called 'opportunity charging' is a well known and proven viable power supply system in the bus industry in the USA and several European countries.

The developmental prototype train seen in this film comprises two D78 driving motor coaches which have been equipped with diesel powered genset units plus an unpowered D78 trailer coach. Vivarail have not taken any of the D78 powered trailer coaches.

The interior of the driving motor coaches have been refurbished and reupholstered but retain their London Underground seating configuration.

By way of contrast, to show the interior layout possibilities Vivarail have extensively changed the interior of the trailer coach. The changes include the fitting of a fully accessible toilet, wheelchair accomodation and several different types of seating configurations, including closely spaced aircraft style seating and 'group of four around a table' seating. Both high back and low back seats are demonstrated. This coach has also been fitted with USB power sockets and the middle two of the four doorways spread along the coach sides have been permamently sealed.

It is important to note that the train is seen travelling on a section of railway that is not normally used by passenger trains and has a very slow 20mph / 30km/h speed limit. The lower grade trackage means that the ride is somewhat unsteady.

http://vivarail.co.uk/

Please note that this film has been made by an independant person who has no connection whatsover with Vivarail.