Vivarail

Vivarail was a British rolling stock manufacturer, founded in 2012 and based in Southam, Warwickshire. Vivarail's main project was the conversion of retired London Underground D78 Stock into two new classes for National Rail services. It was led by former Chiltern Railways chairman Adrian Shooter; the American Railroad Development Corporation was a shareholder.[1][2][3]

Vivarail
IndustryRolling stock manufacturer
Founded2012
FateAdministration as of 1 December 2022
Headquarters
Southam
,
England
Key people
Adrian Shooter (Managing Director)
ProductsD-Train
OwnerRailroad Development Corporation
Websitewww.vivarail.co.uk

In November 2022, the company entered into administration. Assets of Vivarail have been purchased by train operating company GWR. GWR bought intellectual property, rolling stock and equipment relating to the development of high-performance battery and Fast Charge technology to continue Vivarail's work in these areas. The technology is due to be trialled between West Ealing and Greenford.[4]

Diesel and battery units
Main article: British Rail Class 230
A Class 230 at Long Marston

In November 2014, Vivarail bought 156 driving motor cars and 70 carriages of ex London Underground D78 Stock which were being replaced by S Stock.[5] The stated purpose of the Class 230 is to ameliorate a perceived shortage of affordable, modern rolling stock on Britain's regional rail routes, resulting from the slow pace of electrification.[6][7][8]

Electric units
Main article: British Rail Class 484

Other units retain their electric capability as they have been re-engineered into Class 484 units for use on the Island Line.[9]

Demise

The company announced their intention to appoint administrators in November 2022,[10] and entered administration on 1 December 2022. Its Class 230 trains were temporarily withdrawn from passenger service on the Marston Vale line by London Northwestern Railway the same day.[11]

The business is currently being wound down and has ceased trading.[12] In February 2023, assets including rolling stock and intellectual property rights were purchased by train operator GWR, who also employed nine Vivarail staff to continue the preparation of their Class 230 for trial.[13]

References
  1. "Why not do some re-engineering?' Adrian Shooter on the Vivarail D-Train". Rail Technology Magazine. Cognitive Publishing. 23 January 2015.
  2. RDC takes 25% stake in Eurorail Railway Gazette International 12 January 2015
  3. RDC seeks diverse opportunities in European market International Railway Journal 18 May 2016
  4. https://www.railwaypro.com/wp/gwr-acquires-vivarail-assets/
  5. "Viva Vivarail's D-train transformation" Rail issue 771 1 April 2015 page 60
  6. Gurdon, Martin (16 January 2015). "Back on the rails". The Engineer. Centaur Media.
  7. "Vivarail begins testing on first converted D-Stock" Rail issue 782 2 September 2015 page 6
  8. "The D-Train Revealed" Today's Railways UK issue 166 October 2015 pages 48-51
  9. "UKs oldest train fleet updated with 26m investment into Isle of Wights railway". www.southwesternrailway.com. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  10. "Vivarail files 'Notice of Intention to appoint Administrators'". RailAdvent. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  11. "Marston Vale: Buses replace trains until further notice". LNWR Twitter. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  12. "Marston Vale Line: No train services unacceptable says councillor". BBC News. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  13. Preston, Robert (17 February 2023). "Great Western Railway purchases Vivarail assets". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
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