Despite the fact that electric trains are ideal foi commuter rail service, most often the cost to electrify idle railway routes is unjustifiable. In an effort to replace diesel commuter trains serving short and idle routes, with battery powered trams; this paper evaluates three battery charging options. If batteries are only to be charged at terminal stations the battery powered tram simulated in MATLAB would need a 57.6 kWh battery pack to travel a distance of 12 km with six intermediate stations, limiting the minimum state of charge to 40%. A one minute, 5C partial charging at one and two of the intermediate station(s), reduced the needed battery pack capacity by 10% and 20% respectively. Having a battery chemistry with high charging rate capability, multiple smal trams rather than one big tram, and a good timetable will result into more reduction of the overall required number of batteries Thus, increase the attractiveness of an intermediate charging station.