Beyond B100: SNCF’s ‘PlaneTER’ strategy for greener rail operations
Following the successful implementation of rapeseed-based biofuel B100 in Normandy, SNCF Voyageurs is also looking into Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), batteries and hydrogen. RailTech.com sat down with Stéphane Chwalik, head of decarbonisation efforts for the...Read more
A closer look at Italy’s new hydrogen and battery train tenders
Italy is making a leap forward in the use of hydrogen and battery trains, driven by investments via the country’s recovery plan after the corona pandemic. Here is an overview of the recently published tenders...Read more
Alstom and Air Products to accelerate introduction of hydrogen in rail in Czech Republic
Rolling stock manufacturer Alstom and hydrogen producer Air Products have signed a Memorium of Understanding (MoU) to deploy hydrogen solutions forrail for the Czech Republic, including the necessary infrastructure.Read more
First H2-powered freight train developed by Alstom to transport H2O
Rolling stock manufacturer Alstom will develop a hydrogen-powered freight train Nestlé Waters France. Energy company Engie will provide the hydrogen. The train running on hydrogen fuel (H2) for the first- and last mile will transport...Read more
Scotland’s hydrogen train project looks back to the future
A project aiming to transform the future of the rail industry is underway at the home of Scotland’s railway heritage. A retired ScotRail Class 314 electric multiple is based at the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway...Read more
Loop, H2M begin hydrogen electric retrofit
Canadian fuel specialists Loop Energy and Hydrogen In Motion (H2M) have begun work to retrofit a diesel electric switcher locomotive to run on hydrogen-electric power, marking the first installation of Loop technology in a rail...Read more
US research project to develop hydrogen combustion engine for rail
American locomotive manufacturer Wabtec and researchers from the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will work on a collaborative research to develop locomotives powered by a hydrogen combustion engine. Software developer...Read more
Hydrogen: clean, green, pure, and a safety issue?
Hydrogen has all the impetus behind it, and it is even compatible with existing technology. But what could be (safety) issues in the rollout of hydrogen in rail or gaps in existing standards? Those are...Read more
EU Parliament throws weight behind alternative fuels infrastructure for railway
The European Parliament on Wednesday approved a report on the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). This heralds the next step for Brussels in setting up a new legal framework for the rollout out of infrastructure...Read more
‘By 2035, 20 percent of regional European trains will run on hydrogen’
Twenty percent of regional trains in Europe will run on hydrogen by 2035, consultancy firm Roland Berger forecasts in the 2022 edition of the World Rail Market Study (2022-2027), an annual study of trends and...Read more
DB signs collaboration to develop ammonia-hydrogen engine
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is collaborating with Australian energy group Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) to turn diesel engines into ones running on ammonia and hydrogen. “Overall, both companies are investing a mid-six-digit amount in the development...Read more
How can railways phase out diesel from their operations?
HVO fuel and a future hydrogen combustion engine will both play a role in reducing rail emissions. “We can replace old vehicles with new sustainable trains, however we also need to do something to reduce...Read moreRetrofitted hydrogen CAF train starts test runs
Spanish rolling stock manufacturer CAF has started dynamic track testing of their retrofitted Renfe Civia hydrogen-battery train for the FCH2Rail project last week. The European project Fuel Cell Hybrid PowerPack for Rail Applications works on...Read more