Swiss hydrogen-powered train sets 1741-mile record for nonstop travel – IE.
A hydrogen-powered train built by Swiss company Stadler has set a new Guinness World Record (GWR) after it traveled nonstop for 1,741 miles (2,803 km). The feat was achieved using a pilot hydrogen-powered passenger train car at a dedicated test ring in Colorado in the US.
When looking for sustainable transportation solutions, an electric vehicle (EV) comes to mind. While this technological development is great for reducing tail-pipe emissions, there is a need for sustainable mass transit options as well. More recently, automotive companies have also demonstrated the ability of electric buses. Still, trains can carry much larger batches of people at a time.
Electric trains have existed for a significant period but need additional infrastructure, such as overhead power lines. Moreover, the electricity supplied by these cables could come from polluting sources such as coal or natural gas, defeating the purpose of electrification of transport. This is where hydrogen-powered trains can help.
Stadler’s Hydrogen Train – FLIRT
The hydrogen-powered train built by Stadler is called FLIRT-H2. It contains two passenger cars with one power pack in the middle. The power pack stores hydrogen in fuel tanks and uses fuel cells to convert it into electricity.
The electricity is then sent to a traction converter and stored in a battery, which supplies it to the electric drive to move the train. The setup also allows energy to be recovered from the train’s braking system, thereby increasing the system’s efficiency.
The two-car setup can seat 108 passengers and has a top speed of 79 miles (130 km) an hour. It is also designed to operate in high ambient temperatures of up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius).
The record-setting run
The FLIRT-H2 was built for the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA), and it can run an entire day without refueling. It is being tested at a test track in Colorado before its service entry later this year. Stadler decided to officiate its claims by setting a GWR.
The attempt began on the evening of March 20, and GWR officials were present at the test site. Engineers from Stadler drove the train in shifts over the night and the following day. When the train stopped at 5:23 pm on March 22, it had traveled 1,741.7 miles (2,803 km) over 46 hours, all on a single fuel tank.
This is six times the distance of FLIRT H2’s advertised range – 285 miles (460 km). However, it is unlikely to be replicated in real-life scenarios since the train did not stop and start multiple times during the record attempt, nor did it travel on different inclines. Nevertheless, it showcased the ability of hydrogen fuel as a potential power source for trains.
In 2023, the Transportation Authority for the State of California ordered four FLIRT H2 trains with four cars, aiming for higher passenger capacity.
Martin Ritter, CEO of Stadler, in a press release, said:
Stadler is consistently focusing on the future of rail transportation with alternative drive systems by continuously developing innovative technologies.
“By using hydrogen as a clean energy source, we are actively contributing to environmental protection and shaping the sustainable and zero emission travel of tomorrow.”
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Swiss hydrogen-powered train sets 1741-mile record for nonstop travel – IE. source
