The first battery-powered train to run on Britain’s rail network in more than half a century carried its first passengers earlier this month.

This marked an important milestone in the project to demonstrate the viability of an eco-friendly battery-powered train for the 21st century and confirm Network Rail’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact and cutting the cost of running the railway by 20% over the next five years.

It could ultimately lead to a fleet of battery-powered trains running on Britain’s rail network: these are quieter and more efficient than diesel-powered trains, making them better for passengers and the environment.

Network Rail and its industry partners — including Bombardier, Abellio Greater Anglia, FutureRailway and the Rail Executive arm of the Department for Transport (which is co-funding the project) — recognise the potential for battery-powered trains as a means of bridging the gaps between electrified parts of the network; they can also be used on branch lines where it would be too costly to install overhead electrification.

Following successful retrofitting and trials at test tracks in Derby and Leicestershire last year, the modified Bombardier Class 379 Electrostar battery-powered train — also known as an Independently Powered Electric Multiple Unit (IPEMU) — is running a weekday service for five weeks between Harwich International and Manningtree in Essex.

Network Rail Principal Engineer James Ambrose said: “We’ve made terrific progress with this project so far, and seeing the battery-powered train in timetabled service is a huge step forward. After months of engineering and testing, the train is running just as we would like it. We’ll be using this five-week period to gather data on how it handles during passenger service. Most travellers will recognise how quiet and smooth the ride is compared to a diesel-powered train.”