Hydrogen-powered Train Makes UK Maiden Journey

[6Foot2]

Link: Hydrogen-powered train makes UK maiden journey

 

A hydrogen-powered train has travelled on Britain’s rail network for the first time.

 

The prototype, called the Hydroflex, made a 25-mile round trip through Warwickshire and Worcestershire, reaching speeds of up to 50 mph.

 

Its next phase is to move the hydrogen tanks, fuel cell and battery out of a carriage and stash them underneath the train.

 

The aim is for the train to start carrying paying passengers by the end of 2021.

 

[Sonic007]

It better be able to go faster than 50mph as otherwise it will be a long journey!

[Danp]

I missed this, thanks. I have a bit of a interest in trains (family history) plus Evesham station is one away from me.

[Norphy]

It better be able to go faster than 50mph as otherwise it will be a long journey!

 

Depends on the service it's running I suppose. Something like this could replace the diesel trains on a lot of suburban routes in places like Birmingham or anywhere that's not electrified. It's clearly not an intercity train but I doubt that metropolitan trains go much faster than 50mph on a good day.

[nawbus]

Depends on the service it's running I suppose. Something like this could replace the diesel trains on a lot of suburban routes in places like Birmingham or anywhere that's not electrified. It's clearly not an intercity train but I doubt that metropolitan trains go much faster than 50mph on a good day.

 

The type of train this is based on has a normal operating speed (when on 25Kv) of 100mph.

My understanding of the hydrogen train concept is that it would be used for shorter branch lines where it is not economic to electrify. I think the trains would keep the ability to work from the overhead or 3rd rail power supplies as, if I remember correctly, hydrogen is quite energy intensive, and therefore expensive, to produce.

[Jcx500]

I Heard they was for the shorter branch lines too