23.01.18
Government voices ambition to make hydrogen trains ‘a priority’ in future
The introduction of hydrogen-powered trains on the UK rail network will be “a priority” for the government in the coming years.
Transport secretary Chris Grayling confirmed that the DfT would likely be pursuing different types of power for trains, some similar to the bi-mode stock which is currently being used on partly electrified routes.
The department has also indicated that it would be willing to consider hydrogen stock on the Great Western network between London and the West Country and as an alternative on smaller lines which are unlikely to be electrified.
The move towards hydrogen has become important because it can be used to power new stock without emitting anything other than water vapour, replacing the diesel which is used across most of the UK.
“I expect to see a transformation of technology on our railways over the coming years, with the introduction of different types of battery electric hybrid trains, and I see that as a priority,” Grayling said in a Commons debate last week.
“I want the first hydrogen trains to operate on our rail network within a short period of time.”
However, the issue came up a second time this week when the secretary was questioned by the Transport Select Committee on electrification projects he cancelled last year.
Grayling was asked about the use of bi-mode as an alternative to full electrification, which was found to be not cost-efficient or too disruptive in certain areas.
“I’ve talked to senior people in the industry who believe there will only be one generation of diesel engines on the bi-modes and the second generation will be hydrogen engines,” he said.
Bi-mode diesel services have come under-fire because they cost a lot to maintain compared to regular diesel-only services or fully electrical stock.
Plus, diesel bi-modes are heavier because of the extra fuel and equipment which has to be carried, which is believed to cause further damage to tracks than regular trains.
So far, Vivarail and Alstom have led the way in testing hydrogen powered rolling stock, with the former securing funding last summer to further develop its prototype D-Train.
The latter also completed a successful test run of its own hydrogen-powered train in March. The Times also reported last week that the company was in initial talks with UK operators to get the rolling stock on the UK network.
Top image: Peter Steffen DPA
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