India’s 1st hydrogen powered train, with capacity for 2,638 passengers to run between Jind, Sonipat stations

Indian Railways is set to achieve another milestone with the launch of the country’s first hydrogen-powered train. This innovative train will soon undergo a trial run between Haryana’s Jind and Sonipat railway stations.

The Research, Design, and Standard Organisation (RDSO) has developed the design for the train. With this breakthrough, India will join a select group of countries that have initiated the use of hydrogen as fuel for trains. Notably, this will be the first large-scale attempt globally.

The design for India’s first hydrogen-fuelled train is now complete. Following necessary formalities, the train is expected to undergo its final trial in the first quarter of the upcoming year. RDSO, a key wing of Indian Railways, developed the train’s design with a focus on modern utility and innovation.

The design was finalised and released in December 2021, and work on the project has been ongoing since then. Operations could begin as early as the first quarter of next year.

RDSO DEVELOPS THE DESIGN

The design was unveiled at the International Innovative Rail Expo held in Lucknow.

Highlighting the features, RDSO Director General Uday Borwankar stated, “RDSO consistently focusses on new and innovative projects. While hydrogen fuel has been tested in road transport globally, its use in rail transport has not achieved significant success. India’s efforts in this direction will certainly be a major achievement, especially as it aligns with the vision of sustainable energy.”

TRAIN FEATURES: 8 PASSENGER COACHES, CAPACITY FOR 2,638 PASSENGERS

Although the hydrogen train does not have a name yet, the RDSO-designed model features 8 passenger coaches capable of carrying 2,638 passengers on a single trip.

The train will have a maximum speed of 110 km/h. Additionally, three coaches will be dedicated to storing hydrogen cylinders and housing integrated fuel cell converters, batteries, and air reservoirs.

It is deemed suitable for short-distance travel. Currently, the integration work is underway at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.

HYDROGEN TRAINS: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

Hydrogen-powered trains use electricity generated through hydrogen and oxygen fuel cells to power the motor. While countries like Germany and China have worked on hydrogen fuel for rail transport, large-scale success has been elusive. Germany is currently the only country operating a hydrogen train, which runs with two coaches.

RDSO Director General Uday Borwankar emphasised, “Our focus on green energy makes this project highly significant.”

While the model displayed at the expo had “Namo Green Rail” written on it, officials clarified that an official name would be decided at the time of launch.