Diesel instead of hydrogen in the Taunus – trains too prone to failure
Since its launch, hydrogen technology has caused problems in rail traffic in the Taunus region. Now trains with diesel engines are temporarily being used again on one route.
As a consequence of the problems with hydrogen trains in the Taunus, the Rhein-Main Transport Association (RMV) is temporarily using trains with diesel engines again on one route. In January, a total of 16 diesel-powered trains will gradually replace the hydrogen trains between Bad Homburg and Brandoberndorf (line RB15), the RMV announced. An emergency timetable is currently in effect on the route, and passengers sometimes have to change to replacement buses.
The diesel replacement vehicles will gradually take over journeys in January and are rented until the end of next year. The fact that there is a replacement for the failure-prone hydrogen trains from the manufacturer Alstom is the result of months of effort. Alstom will bear the costs.
World’s largest fleet to start
The launch of the world’s largest fleet with the environmentally friendly technology in the Taunus network was planned for December 2022. But there were problems right from the start. The provision of the trains was delayed, then their operation proved unreliable.
However, hydrogen trains are still running in the Taunus: on the RB12 Königstein–Frankfurt. Between Friedberg and Friedrichsdorf (RB 16), however, diesel trains are already running as a replacement.
When the diesel vehicles are then in use on the RB15, manufacturer Alstom will carry out a general overhaul of the fault-prone technical components of the hydrogen trains. The aim is “to ensure permanently reliable operation in the Taunus network beyond 2025,” explained the RMV.
District administrator criticizes two-year series of breakdowns
RMV supervisory board chairman Ulrich Krebs, district administrator of the Hochtaunus district, explained that the diesel trains would ensure a reliable range of journeys. However, the drive has no long-term future. “It is all the more regrettable that Alstom has done a disservice to trust in new types of drive with the two-year series of breakdowns,” added the CDU politician.
Reliable operation on the route was finally achieved in the summer, but then there were technical problems again in late summer, explained RMV managing director Knut Ringat. Alstom has now taken measures to ensure that there are sufficient hydrogen trains available for the emergency timetable. Production of important spare parts has been ramped up and workshop staff are working additional shifts.
“Alstom must make intensive use of the coming year to finally get the fleet fit and reliable in the long term,” demanded Ringat. Passenger information is also to be improved. To this end, ten displays have been purchased for six stations on the RB15 line, the RMV announced.
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Diesel instead of hydrogen in the Taunus – trains too prone to failure, source
