Hydrogen train: the first line opens in Germany
This page is translated from the original post "Train à hydrogène : la première ligne ouvre en Allemagne" in French.
- 01/09/2022 7:00
The 14 Alstom Coradia iLint trains are now operating on a 100% hydrogen line in Germany, a world first.
While electrification of the rail network is a solution to reduce pollutant gas emissions, hydrogen is also a viable alternative. Not requiring a dedicated catenary infrastructure, it uses fuel cells. Still maturing, the technology is progressing rapidly, with a line fully converted.
Hydrogen replaces diesel
Since 2018, Alstom had conducted pre-series tests of its Coradia iLint train over two years. Due to the success of these tests, private company Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LNVG) ordered 14 trains. The French company has delivered these units, which are now in service. They operate on the line serving Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervörde, and Buxtehude, in the Lower Saxony region near Hamburg.
🚆🌱💦 It's official! The world’s first #hydrogen train, our Alstom Coradia iLint, has reached yet another historical #milestone today in #Germany. It is now in passenger operation with our partners #LNVG, @evb_ElbeWeser and @Lindeplc.
— Alstom (@Alstom) August 24, 2022
Learn more: https://t.co/DK0kcQA4cY pic.twitter.com/T5v1gdSnL2
The fleet will be 100% hydrogen, replacing the 15 old diesel trains. Elbe-Weser (EVB) and Linde are the two main partners in the project. Elbe-Weser operates the trains, while Linde handles production and daily hydrogen recharging. According to Alstom, these trains have a range of 1,000 kilometers—much more than the approximately 100 km line.
Hydrogen train in France in 2024?
A second order will triple the hydrogen train fleet. The Frankfurt metropolitan area (Germany) will soon receive 27 Alstom trains. Followed by 6 trains heading to Italy, in the Lombardy region.
For France, patience is needed. While the first prototype ran in September 2021, testing begins in 2022 on the Tours-Loches line, with passengers expected to be on board only in 2024.
Four regions (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Grand Est, and Occitanie) have ordered 12 bi-mode Coradia Polyvalent trains. These hybrid trains also operate with electric traction via catenary, with hydrogen serving on un-electrified sections.
We also suggestthese articles:
Also read
