Hydrogen train
RAIL reports from the InnoTrans trade show in Berlin as rolling stock companies develop hydrogen-powered trains.
PORTERBROOK and the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) signed a memorandum of understanding at InnoTrans in Berlin on September 19 to develop the UK’s first standard gauge hydrogen-powered train.
Porterbrook will supply a Class 319 electric multiple unit to BCRRE for conversion. The deal will allow both organisations to demonstrate how hydrogen-powered trains could be deployed across the UK rail network.
Development has recently started, and the train - to be known as HydroFlex - will begin testing and embarking on demonstration runs in summer 2019. The train will be able to operate on 25kV AC overhead and 750V DC third-rail routes, while the addition of a hydrogen fuel cell will enable it to operate in self-powered mode without the need for diesel engines.
A team from BCCRE recently demonstrated Hydrogen Hero, a narrow-gauge fuel cell-powered train, at the Rail Live event in June this year ( RAIL 856).
Present at the signing was Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling, who joined discussions afterwards on the potential to ‘decarbonise’ the railway in terms of emissions at source.
“This exciting partnership between Porterbrook and the University of Birmingham is a great example of how forward-thinking businesses and our world-class universities can work together to deliver innovation that matters. I look forward to seeing the HydroFlex train coming to the UK railway in the very near future,” he said.
Porterbrook Chief Executive Mary Grant said: “I am delighted that BCRRE has chosen to work with Porterbrook on this exciting fuel-cell project. The HydroFlex will not only showcase rail innovation, it will also demonstrate how the private sector railway can effectively partner with educational bodies to jointly deliver real benefits to passengers, train operators and the communities our railways serve.”
BCRRE Senior Lecturer in Railway Systems Dr Stuart Hillmansen added: “Hydrogenpowered trains offer a cleaner alternative to current diesel trains, and this project demonstrates the opportunities and value of innovation in the rail industry.”