The Anonymous Widower

Talgo To Begin Fuel Cell Loco Trials

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Railway Gazette.

These are the first two paragraphs.

Trials are to begin shortly with the TPH2 fuel cell test locomotive developed by Talgo as part of its hydrogen traction programme. This forms part of a low-carbon research and development strategy which is being supported by a green hydrogen supply alliance and financing from the European Investment Bank.

The TPH2 loco has been produced by fitting fuel cells and traction batteries to the Travca L-9202 ‘Virgen del Buen Camino’ prototype multi-system and variable gauge locomotive which was built by Talgo in 2005.

This page on the Talgo web site describes the Travca locomotive like this.

Travca: Traction Without Borders

Travca is a locomotive that stops at nothing; not at different power supplies, track gauges nor signalling systems all of which makes Travca Talgo’s most advanced development in the field of traction.

This is the specification of the electric locomotive from the Talgo web site.

• Operating speed – Up to 250km/h (passenger version)
• Configuration – Bo-Bo
• Track gauge (mm) -1435-1668
• Length (m) – 19400
• Bodyshell width (mm) – 2950
• Unladen weight (tonnes) – 72 (passenger version)
• Number of axles – 4
• Power – 2,400 kW (25kV, 50Hz) / 2,000kW (3kV dc)
• Brakes – Regenerative, rheostatic and air brakes

Notes.

1. It is a variable-gauge and variable-voltage locomotive.
2. 1435 mm is standard gauge
3. It is lighter and wider than a Class 90 locomotive.

It does seem to be the basis of a very useful locomotive.

This article on Railway News is entitled University Of Extremadura To Work With Talgo On Its Hydrogen Train, says this about the test train.

During the first stage of the hydrogen train project, Talgo is developing the necessary engineering for the assembly and commissioning of hydrogen traction in a test train. The train will comprise a Talgo Travca MS locomotive, which can change gauges and run under different electrification systems, and five Talgo hauled cars that will house the hydrogen fuel cell system. One of the cars will be a laboratory car.

This would appear to be an experimental train with the hydrogen power station in four of the coaches.

It also appears that Extremadura is developing a hydrogen infrastructure.

Applications In The UK

The obvious application in the UK, is as a Class 66 diesel locomotive replacement, for some of the light to medium duties.

The Class 66 locomotives have a power of 2400 kW, which could be within the range of the Talgo locomotive.

In LNER Seeks 10 More Bi-Modes, I speculated that Talgo, with all their experience of high speed trains might like to bid for the extra ten trains, that LNER requires.

They could be ideal to allow electric trains to run between London and Aberdeen and Inverness.

• The Travca locomotive running on electricity could certainly handle 140 mph between London and Edinburgh.
• The power requirements North of Edinburgh would be less, as speeds would be lower.
• Ranges on hydrogen would be under two hundred miles.

It would be a flagship service for both LNER and Talgo.

February 7, 2022 - Posted by AnonW | Hydrogen, Transport/Travel | Hydrogen-Powered Locomotives, Hydrogen-Powered Trains, LNER, Talgo, Talgo Travca