Viva Rail led by Adrian Shooter is converting withdrawn London Underground D78 stock for diesel-electric
operation on both urban commuter and rural routes.
1. Withdrawn District Line D78 stock awaiting conversion.
6. Adrian Shooter has a word with the crew.
9. The gangways will be usable when the train is in motion. LU couplers are retained between cars.
10. The bogies are much more modern than the bodies, having replaced the original ones quite recently.
12. The original traction motors are retained but the control system is new.
14. This is one of two engine bays per motor car. An engine-generator raft can be swapped in ten minutes.
15. This shot shows some of the strengthening that has been added to the cab end.
16. The recovered original seats with added headrests are quite comfortable.
17. The same cannot be said of the new “ironing board” seats.
19-20. This car was subjected to a crash test and survived with remarkably little damage.
Only one car of the three-car demonstration unit was operational on our visit.
The unit comprises two driving motor cars and a trailer which can be equipped with a DDA toilet module.
The cars have four doors per side but two can be replaced by additional seating bays.
The train will be able to operate with one engine shut down, and on all but the steepest gradients with
only one in service. Collector shoes can be fitted for operation on third rail 750v DC lines.
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