New power research to be aided by veteran train

A veteran train which was built by British Rail around 40 years ago is to play a key part in research into alternative power sources. Porterbrook is leasing a redundant High Speed Intercity 125 set to the University of Birmingham, where it will be used to step up an existing research programme into new power sources for trains with heavier needs, such as long-distance passenger trains and rail freight. New forms of power already developed, such as batteries, have been suitable mainly over shorter distances. Battery systems typically need recharging at least every 100km.