Strukton's battery powered 1600 and 1700 locos
Posted: | Updated: | Tags: status train toots transportThe contents of this post were originally toots on Mastodon, you can find the original thread there.
Last month Strukton showcased their battery powered locomotives at a press event with the State Secretary for Infrastructure and Water Management. This isn't just a battery powered locomotive but can also be charged through overhead lines.
Strukton Rail previously purchased one NS Class 1600 locomotive and three NS Class 1700 locomotives, all built by Alstom. These were previously used to transport passengers with NS DD-AR double-decker carriages.
Strukton worked to modify the locomotives to take power from batteries which can be pulled in a wagon. This allows it to be used in areas where the overhead lines are unavailable for example during maintenance, this eliminates the need for diesel powered locomotives.
They first presented the convert NS Class 1600, which they named Nicole, in 2019. This video from SpoorwegenTV shows how the locomotives works and highlights some of their decision choices.
It is my first time hearing of this technology being retro-fitted into an existing locomotive.
Would like to see this in person some day.