Adaptable Carriage to enable freight movement on passenger trains
A new ‘adaptable carriage’ system has been launched that can stow seats and tables within passenger trains to create space for freight.
Developed by 42 Technology under a two-year RSSB-funded innovation programme, the system made its debut at this year’s Railtex (held at the NEC, Birmingham on May 9-11), and is now available to train operators to trial.
42 Technology says that the Adaptable Carriage system could help ease road congestion, and cut carbon emissions and delivery times, while providing an alternative revenue stream for operators by enabling the transfer of low-density, high-value packages from road to rail.
The Adaptable Carriage system is designed to be compatible with both steel-frame and aluminium train designs that use cantilevered seats, while the fold-away seats have been engineered to provide passenger comfort by adding minimal weight.
The forward-folding seat design also allows any rubbish collected on seats to be tipped on the floor, for easier cleaning after they have been stowed.
The fully automated stowage of 20 rows of seats (with four seats per row) should take under three minutes to complete, and provides cargo space equivalent to the capacity of an articulated lorry.
RSSB Innovation and Programme Director Neil Webster said: “42 Technology has designed a novel but very practical way to enable train operators to carry more freight by rail, which will not only increase capacity but improve delivery times for customers, too.”