Hydrogen ‘321s’
Alstom confirms it is working to convert a Class 321 to create the UK’s first hydrogenpowered main line train.
ALSTOM has confirmed that it is working with Eversholt Rail to create the UK’s first hydrogenpowered main line train.
The company plans to convert Class 321 electric multiple units to hydrogen operation by fitting on-board tanks for the gas, which when combined with oxygen can produce an electrical current to charge fuel cells for traction.
According to Alstom, the only other bi-products of the process are water and steam, making its hydrogen technology a zerocarbon emission and much quieter alternative to diesel-powered trains.
It will also be marketed to prospective operators as a way to achieve the environmental benefits of further electrification of the UK network without the associated disruption and capital expenditure.
There are currently 101 four-car Class 321s operated by Greater Anglia and a further three four-car units operated by Northern. All are due to go off-lease by the end of 2019 - neither Alstom nor Eversholt Rail would confirm how many would be converted.
In September 2016, Alstom became the first company to introduce a regional hydrogenpowered train when it launched the Coradia iLint at the biennial Innotrans exhibition in Berlin ( RAIL 810).
In November 2017, the first contract was then received by the manufacturer to deliver 14 of the trains to the Local Transport Authority of Lower Saxony by December 2021 ( RAIL 840).
Two two-car prototypes also commenced a two-year pilot on the German network last month, funded by German federal authorities.
Alstom claims the iLint can travel for approximately 1,000km (621 miles) on one full tank of hydrogen, at speeds of up to 140kph (87mph).
However, finding a cost-effective way to produce and supply the gas will be a key consideration for potential customers. That is because with few natural reservoirs of hydrogen, it must be produced using electricity and electrolysis or as a bi-product from industrial processes. Sufficient quantities cannot be delivered to refuelling points by road, meaning they must either be located close to the source of production or a pipeline network constructed.
The German iLint deal has been supported by a 100 million euro (£88m) investment from federal government to build a new hydrogen filling station, suggesting that a similar-sized investment would also be required in the UK.
Nevertheless, with nearly a third of the UK’s fleet diesel-powered, and with electrification currently placed on hold by the Department for Transport, Alstom’s UK and Ireland Managing Director Nick Crossfield says the potential for new or retrofitted hydrogen trains is enormous.
He said: “The Government has set a clear objective of removing diesel rolling stock by 2040, and this requires a bold and innovative response from the industry. I am very proud that, working with Eversholt Rail, we are able to take the lead in that respect.
“We think the potential longterm application of hydrogen in the UK is very significant. Starting with this conversion, we think it could offer the right zero carbon solution for many parts of the network.”
Speaking in York on May 10, Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling said: “I’m keen for East West Rail to be one of the earliest for hydrogen on the UK rail network.”