BR off
Page 9
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
the rails
A SODIUM sulphur battery suit able for use in a road vehicli has been developed by Britis Rail.
At the Railway Technical Centr in Derby, a series of test run was completed last week with one-ton van powered by a 72 sodium sulphur battery. Th van, built by Smiths of Nev castle-upon-Tyne, is not license for public road use says BR, s all the testing took place on track where the vehicle's -max mum speed was restricted t 40km/h (25mph).
The batteries can store les energy than conventional lea acid types, but their main advar tage is in great weight saving. the BR van, the battery weigh 170kg (3.35 cwt) compared wit 750kg (14.78 cwt) for the lea, acid battery it replaces.
The sodium sulphur battery' capacity is 13.5kWh (18kWh fo lead acid) and it can be full charged in seven hours Laboratory tests over twi months have proved the ne).1 battery to be "very reliable' claims BR.