World record: Hydrogen train travels 2,803 kilometers on a single tank

Rail technology World record: Hydrogen train travels 2,803 kilometers on a single tank

2024-04-15 From Richard Oed * | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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Compared to battery-powered trains, multiple units with hydrogen propulsion have the advantage of greater range. Stadler sent its Flirt-H2 on a world record journey at the end of March.

On a world record journey: On the test track in Pueblo, Colorado, the Flirt H2 built by Stadler for the SBCTA covered the longest distance ever traveled on one tank of fuel.(Image: Stadler) — On a world record journey: On the test track in Pueblo, Colorado, the Flirt H2 built by Stadler for the SBCTA covered the longest distance ever traveled on one tank of fuel.
(Image: Stadler)

Richard Oed is a freelance contributor to ELEKTRONIKPRAXIS.

Under the watchful eyes of the Guinness World Record team, Swiss rail vehicle manufacturer Stadler sent its Flirt-H2 hydrogen train on a world record journey on the evening of March 20, 2024. 46 hours later, at 17:23 (MST) on March 22, the train ended its journey after 2,803 kilometers (1,294 miles). This ensured the train and the company an entry in the Guinness Record database for the longest distance a hydrogen-powered passenger train has traveled without refueling or recharging. The world record trip took place on the test ring of ENSCO's Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, Colorado/USA. The vehicle had also completed its type test on this ring.

Autonomous Power-Pack

Stadler first presented the Flirt-H2 to the public at InnoTrans 2022 in Berlin/Germany. The train was built on behalf of the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) in California, who already have Flirt diesel multiple units in operation on their Redlands Rail Corridor. The hydrogen train with the axle arrangement Bo´2´2´Bo´ consists of two electrically driven end cars with a separate centrally located power pack with H2 fuel cells, tank, and cooling. The independent power pack completely separates the hydrogen area from the passenger compartments. Two batteries mounted on the roofs of the end cars store the energy generated by the fuel cells and thus power the vehicle's drive. It is also possible to store braking energy. The Flirt-H2's maximum output is 700 kW. The 51.5 m long multiple unit with 108 seats develops a tractive force of 160 kN and is designed for a top speed of 130 km/h and for operation at outside temperatures of up to 49 °C. The concept allows for all-day operation without refueling.

The use of a PowerPack with the Flirt-H2 simplifies the separation of the hydrogen technology from the passenger compartments.
(Image:Richard Oed)

The aim of the world record trip was also to demonstrate the reliability and performance of the multiple unit. Dr. Ansgar Brockmeyer, EVP of Marketing and Sales at Stadler, is therefore pleased: "This world record confirms the ideal application area of our hydrogen drive solution for the best-selling electrically powered multiple unit, the FLIRT-H2." This is already the second Guinness record for the Swiss manufacturer: In December 2021, the Flirt Battery in Germany set the world record for the longest journey with a battery train in pure battery operation at 224 km.

Additional vehicles ordered

In addition to the multiple unit for the SBCTA, Caltrans, the transportation authority of the state of California, ordered four Flirt-H2 in 2023 and exercised an option for an additional six vehicles in 2024. These trains will have a higher passenger capacity than those of the SBCTA and will consist of four cars and a PowerPack in the middle segment.

In Europe, the Italian rail operators Ferrovie della Calabria (FdC) and Azienda Regionale Sarda Trasporti (ARST) have already ordered fifteen narrow-gauge railcars in July 2023, which will be financed with funds from the European Union's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

The aim of the FCH2Rail project is the development and implementation of a dual power railcar with electric and hydrogen drive. (Image:ADIF)

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