Hydrogen-Powered Train Makes UK Maiden Journey
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is said in the article.
A hydrogen-powered train has travelled on Britain’s rail network for the first time.
The prototype, called the Hydroflex, made a 25-mile round trip through Warwickshire and Worcestershire, reaching speeds of up to 50 mph.
Its next phase is to move the hydrogen tanks, fuel cell and battery out of a carriage and stash them underneath the train.
The aim is for the train to start carrying paying passengers by the end of 2021.
Note that the article contains a broadcast-quality video.
There are now two hydrogen-powered trains in development in the UK.
- This Class 799 train by Birmingham University and Porterbrook, which has been converted from a Class 319 train.
- The Class 600 train by Alstom, which is being converted from a Class 321 trains.
Both the trains being converted are British Rail trains based on the Mark 3 coach design.
- They were built originally in the 1980s and 1990s.
- They were built for commuting over medium distances.
- They are 100 mph trains.
- They will keep their pantographs, so running using 25 KVAC overhead electrification.
Both trains could be fitted with quality interiors.
But from what has been disclosed the designs will be quite different.
- The Class 799 train will be four cars, as opposed to three cars of the Class 600 train.
- The Class 600 trains will have large hydrogen tanks inside the train, whereas the Class 799 train will have smaller ones underneath the train.
- I would expect the Class 600 train to have a longer range between refuelling.
- The Class 799 train will also be a tri-mode train, with the ability to use 750 VDC third-rail electrification.
As there are nearly over a hundred Class 321 trains and nearly ninety Class 319 trains, if the hydrogen conversion is successful, we could be seeing a lot of hydrogen trains on the UK rail network.
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