Get Ready to Ride the 1st Hydrogen Train in the US, in 2024

[cng]

Get Ready to Ride the First Zero-Emission Hydrogen Train in the US, Starting in 2024
Story by Tamara Palmer

Zero-emission cars may be a familiar concept, but expect to hear more about sustainable trains. The first zero-emission, hydrogen-powered passenger train in the US, called FLIRT H₂, will begin service later this year in southern California, the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority announced last week.

The record-holding train will serve as a commuter train on the Arrow line of the Metrolink train. But don't expect to take it cross-country, or even from one end of the state to the other. The train will travel a 9.6-mile route between San Bernardino and Redlands, California.



FLIRT H₂, manufactured by Swiss company Stadler Rail, has already set a world record even before welcoming riders onboard. In March, it set the record for the longest distance by a prototype hydrogen fuel cell electric multiple unit train without refueling, making it into the Guinness Book of World Records by traveling 1,742 miles straight on a test track in Colorado. It began running with full tanks on March 20, and stopped once the tanks were empty on March 22.

"Stadler is consistently focusing on the future of rail transportation with alternative drive systems by continuously developing innovative technologies," Stadler US CEO Martin Ritter said in an article posted on the company's website. "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."

The train industry in the US is moving towards sustainability. In an April release, Amtrak stated that the company is aiming to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2045. And in its statement, Stadler says it's the first train manufacturer in the world to produce narrow-gauge hydrogen trains, and that the company has been contracted to supply a total of 15 hydrogen-powered vehicles in Italy. The ferry industry is on board with similar sustainability efforts as well. The first hydrogen-powered ferry is expected to debut in San Francisco this year.

Besides running on zero emissions, FLIRT H₂ will also offer passengers a quieter experience on their rides than the county's current diesel-powered trains.

"When you're on the [FLIRT H₂] train, you can sit across from one another, either at a table or facing seats on the train and have a very quiet, pleasant, normal conversation uninterrupted by what typically we experience with train noise," Tim Watkins, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority's chief of Legislative and Public Affairs, told LAist.

[robot2022]

这个会普及吗
比电车环保

[laomei9]

荒漠中的一条船？

[牛河梁]

这个会普及吗
比电车环保

电车更环保。但美国万恶的铁路是私有的。铁路主不同意架设电线开电动机车。因为还要照顾（双层）货运要求。

[drifter]

电力机车不是现成的吗 这点基建都搞不了 还指望搞一个全新的产业链

[牛河梁]

电力机车不是现成的吗 这点基建都搞不了 还指望搞一个全新的产业链

风可进，雨可进，国王不能进。铁路路线是私有的。人家不让你拉电线天王老子都搞不了。

没电线的路段就要用非电动车头拉了。

[cng]

风可进，雨可进，国王不能进。铁路路线是私有的。人家不让你拉电线天王老子都搞不了。

没电线的路段就要用非电动车头拉了。

拉电线本身就不环保维护费用又高还妨碍共用。

[robot2022]

电车更环保。但美国万恶的铁路是私有的。铁路主不同意架设电线开电动机车。因为还要照顾（双层）货运要求。

电车的电池不好处理
其实也不环保

[牛河梁]

电车的电池不好处理
其实也不环保

具体要看哪一种蓄电池。磷酸铁锂电池挺环保的。按照欧洲标准，可以抱着睡觉，可以用舌头舔，可以直接扔垃圾桶填埋。

[newstart]

“最近中国科技大学孙金华教授展示，储能电站（磷酸铁锂）每年返生事故的概率在千分之六，火宅事故发生率还处于一个比较高的范围。”

你抱着睡觉？

[laomei9]

用电池的火车,尼玛,也是醉了

[牛河梁]

“最近中国科技大学孙金华教授展示，储能电站（磷酸铁锂）每年返生事故的概率在千分之六，火宅事故发生率还处于一个比较高的范围。”

你抱着睡觉？

你要能抱一个储能电站那么多磷酸铁锂电池睡觉，每年被烧的概率是千分之六，欧洲人觉得安全老牛没意见。

[牛河梁]

用电池的火车,尼玛,也是醉了

美国的火车头本来就是电动的。区别在于用电线还是电池还是（柴油）发电机还是烧氢发电。

[newstart]

你要能抱一个储能电站那么多磷酸铁锂电池睡觉，每年被烧的概率是千分之六，欧洲人觉得安全老牛没意见。

欧洲这些年搞出来了什么东西吗？

[牛河梁]

欧洲这些年搞出来了什么东西吗？

不知道。