27.02.15
Cutting cost of electrification using battery power through neutral sections
Source: Stephen Waring
EGGHEADS-STYLE QUESTION: On the face of it, availability of dual-mode overhead electric + internal battery EMUs could significantly reduce the cost of line electrification by allowing neutral sections under difficult bridges and through tunnels, reducing need for bridge raising and trackbed lowering.
Is this: A) somewhat naive; B) a sensible and realistic option to be evaluated in future schemes; C) blindingly obvious/likely to become standard practice?
Clearly it would depend on economic comparison of relative costs of investment in civils work vs. batteries + system to switch over on the move.
Re: Prototype battery-powered ‘IPEMU’ carries passengers for first time