Eversholt joins very light rail consortium

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Rolling stock leasing company Eversholt Rail has joined the Revolution VLR consortium which is developing a new brand of very light rail vehicle.

The Revolution VLR consortium is led by Transport Design International Ltd (TDI) and includes WMG at the University of Warwick, Cummins as well as companies from the automotive and rail sectors.

The consortium said it is seeking to create “lightweight, energy-efficient system solutions to deliver affordable service growth and extension of the UK’s rail capacity”.

The RSSB is investing £3 million in the scheme.

Eversholt Rail said it would be able to bring its market knowledge and experience in through-life asset and project management.

The concept is for a lightweight, bi-directional, 18-metre-long vehicle. Without passengers, the vehicle will weigh less than one tonne per linear metre and will run on lightweight modular slab track.

The innovative new system will use optimised hybrid propulsion and regenerative braking.

Mary Kenny, chief executive of Eversholt Rail, said: “Eversholt Rail has a strong record of innovation in the UK rolling stock industry through introducing new products, technologies and manufacturers to the market.

“Our investment in the Revolution VLR programme will extend this into the light rail sector and provide further opportunities for growth within the industry.”


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