Alstom and Eversholt join forces to create UK’s first hydrogen train fleet
CITY MANUFACTURER WANTS TO DESIGN AND BUILD A FLEET OF 10 HYDROGEN POWERED TRAINS, EACH WITH THREE UNITS
TRAIN-MAKER Alstom has signed a deal to share their knowledge so that they can build the UK’s first hydrogen train fleet.
The Derby manufacturer has signed a memorandum of understanding with rail operator and financier Eversholt Rail to design, build, commission and support a fleet of 10 hydrogen powered trains. Each would have three units.
The two companies would share the technical and commercial information necessary for Alstom to develop the new fleet in the UK which would be based on the Aventra loco currently built in Derby.
Alstom hopes final contracts for the fleet can be signed early next year.
The two businesses said they were committed to taking a leading role in supporting the UK and Scotland Government ambitions to decarbonise its rail sector by 2040 – and the Scottish Government’s objective of doing so by 2035.
Nick Crossfield, Alstom’s managing director for the UK and Ireland, said: “COP26 is a reminder of just how urgent the need to decarbonise our world is.
“Rail is already the lowest emission transport mode, but we can do even more, and I am delighted that we have concluded this agreement with our friends at Eversholt Rail which will lead to Britain’s first ever fleet of new hydrogen trains.”
Mary Kenny, chief executive of Eversholt Rail, said: “It is important that we start sooner rather than later to decarbonise UK Rail if we are to meet the 2050 ‘net-zero’ target.
“Hydrogen propulsion will play an important role, and this project with Alstom will demonstrate how the private sector can work together to make a difference.”
Alstom and Eversholt Rail worked together on the planned conversion of an existing electric unit to hydrogen power – called the ‘Breeze’ project.
Both companies believe that there is a market for a fleet of new trains in Britain.
In a statement, Alstom said: “The breadth, depth of knowledge and experience gained from the Breeze project, together with stakeholder feedback on future fleet strategies, has been invaluable in shaping the product planning.
“Building on Alstom’s long expertise in keeping Britain moving, the Aventra single-deck train has been developed for the requirements of mainline train operations, from high-capacity metro systems to intercity services.
“Designed to be the fastest, smartest, and most economical platform
in modern rail, Aventra trains are modular, from carriage length to interior layout and design.
“They can easily be modified for different customer requirements, while retaining core benefits such as a lightweight car body and low lifecycle costs.”