Hydrogen train news
-
NewsMaintenance vehicle converted to fuel cell power
AUSTRIA: An X534 overhead electrification construction and maintenance railcar has been converted from diesel to fuel cell power. Austrian Federal Railways’ technical service unit TrainTech worked with engineering consultancy m.ZERO to integrate fuel cell power modules from Cummins’ zero-emissions business Accelera into the vehicle as part ...
-
NewsZillertalbahn hydrogen plan dropped in favour of battery traction
AUSTRIA: Plans to replace diesel traction on the narrow gauge Zillertalbahn with hydrogen have been dropped in favour of battery operation. Decarbonisation is planned as part of the railway’s medium-term investment programme for 2025-30, and could save an estimated 900 000 litres of diesel per year. ...
-
In depthTraction Technology: The weak case for hydrogen
Reinhard Christeller examines the state of the art for using hydrogen in rail traction, and finds that the case for widespread adoption is weak, even if emerging ‘white hydrogen’ fuel holds more potential.
-
Metro Report InternationalHydrogen tram development project underway
GERMANY: The Hydrogen Tram for Next Generation project has been launched to develop a fuel cell-powered vehicle which would enable services to be extended into new areas and tram-train routes created without the need for electrification. The HyTraGen research project is led by Hörmann Vehicle Engineering. ...
-
NewsCalifornia orders more hydrogen trainsets
USA: California’s Department of Transportation has ordered six more Stadler Flirt H2 hydrogen fuel cell multiple-units. The $127m order announced on February 15 has been placed using an October 2023 framework contract which included an $80m firm order for four trains with options for up to ...
-
NewsSmart Train Lease aims ‘to make renting trains as easy and simple as renting a car’
GERMANY: Siemens Mobility has established a leasing subsidiary that would enable train operators to use its Mireo Smart battery, hydrogen and electric multiple-units without needing to make long-term investment commitments. Smart Train Lease GmbH would make available at short notice multiple-units already approved for operation. These ...
-
NewsBallard fuel cells to power CPKC shunting locomotives
CANADA: Canadian Pacific Kansas City has ordered a further 12 hydrogen fuel cell power packs from Ballard for delivery during 2024. The 200 kW FCwave fuel cells are intended to power a batch of locomotives to undertake shunting and local freight services in Alberta; they are ...
-
NewsNo bids to supply hydrogen trains
NETHERLANDS: No bids were received in response to a call for tenders to supply hydrogen trains for use by Arriva on regional lines in the northern provinces of Groningen and Friesland. An Alstom Coradia iLint hydrogen fuel-cell multiple-unit was tested on the Groningen – Leeuwarden route ...
-
NewsHydrogen high speed train to be developed
SPAIN: A group of Spanish companies has been awarded funding for the Hympulso project to power a Talgo 250 gauge-changing high speed trainset using renewable hydrogen. Talgo Class 730 electro-diesel trainsets used by national operator RENFE have a power car behind each driving car containing a ...
-
NewsNarrow gauge hydrogen trains ordered as operator aims to be ‘modern and sustainable‘
ITALY: Reginal operator Ferrovie della Calabria has awarded Stadler a firm order to supply and maintain a further three 950 mm gauge hydrogen multiple-units. The order announced on January 18 has been placed under a June 2023 framework agreement awarded jointly by FdC and Sardinian transport ...
-
NewsItalian regional operators order hydrogen trains
ITALY: Ferrovie del Sud Est and Ferrovie Nord Milano have placed orders for Alstom Coradia Stream H hydrogen multiple-units to replace diesel trainsets.
-
NewsCalifornia orders hydrogen trains
USA: Stadler has been awarded what it calls a ‘transformative’ contract to supply hydrogen fuel cell multiple-units to California. The contract signed with the California State Transportation Agency and California Department of Transportation on October 12 includes a $80m firm order for four trains, with options ...
-
In depthTraction: Intermittent wiring could form path to decarbonisation
Is there a feasible way to decarbonise North America’s railroads? Partial electrification matched with battery-powered traction may offer an answer.
-
NewsHydrogen train to be demonstrated in Riyadh
SAUDI ARABIA: Alstom and Saudi Arabia Railways are to demonstrate the operation of a Coradia iLint hydrogen multiple-unit in Riyadh. Alstom said ’this ground-breaking demonstration marks the first-ever introduction of a hydrogen-powered train in the Middle East and Africa’. The iLint will operate over a distance ...
-
NewsItalian hydrogen fuel cell multiple-unit unveiled
ITALY: Ferrovie Nord Milano and Alstom unveiled the first hydrogen fuel cell powered Coradia Stream multiple-unit at the Expo Ferroviaria trade fair on October 3.
-
NewsKazakh hydrogen loco co-operation
KAZAKHSTAN: National railway KTZ and Wabtec have signed a framework agreement for the production of hydrogen locomotives and the creation of an engineering centre at the LKZ loco factory in Astana. It was signed on September 17 when Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed plans for the ...
-
NewsIrish diesel loco to be converted to hydrogen fuel
IRELAND: National railway Iarnród Éireann is to work with Latvian traction technology company DiGas to undertake a proof-of-concept conversion of a diesel locomotive to use hydrogen in its existing engine. IÉ will provide one of its EMD-built Class 071 locomotive dating from the 1970s for the ...
-
Metro Report InternationalHydrogen trams planned in Ulsan
SOUTH KOREA: A study has found that the development of a hydrogen-powered tramway in Ulsan would be feasible, Minister of Land, Infrastructure & Transport Won Hee-ryong announced on August 23. Construction could start in 2026 for completion in 2029 at a cost of 328bn won. The ...
-
Rail Business UKSignalling team trials hydrogen power
UK: The use of hydrogen to provide power for staff welfare compounds and to recharge battery tools and electric vehicles has been tested by Colas Rail UK’s signalling team during a project in the Gloucester area. H-Power Tower fuel cell stacks designed by AFC Energy to ...
-
In depthTraction technology: Bridging the gap from diesel
Equipping existing diesel passenger fleets with battery‑based energy storage technology can improve vehicle efficiency while reducing local noise and pollution, argues Edgar Keller of ABB Traction Systems.