The first hydrogen trains have now begun operating in Bremervörde, Lower Saxony, four years after the start of pilot operations in 2018. This marks the world’s first railway network consisting of hydrogen-powered trains.

The trains are manufactured by Alstom, with other project partners including Verkehrsbetriebe Elbe-Weser GmbH and engineering company Linde. By the end of 2022, a total of 14 trains are expected to be in operation, replacing the existing 15 diesel models on the route between Cuxhaven and Bremervörde.

Linde provides the hydrogen refueling stations, where the trains can be refueled around the clock. However, the hydrogen trains already have an impressive range of around 1,000 kilometers. The top speed is listed as 140 km/h.

The project was mainly financed by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Transport, which contributed 85 million euros, with the remaining 8.4 million euros covered by the federal government.

In addition, the hydrogen trains with the model name Coradia iLint are being tested in pilot operations at other locations, such as Austria and Baden-Württemberg.

Siemens is also developing hydrogen trains

However, the competition is also active. Siemens Mobility’s fuel cell train Mireo Plus H is not yet in operation, but it was jointly presented by Siemens and Deutsche Bahn on September 9, 2022.

The first series order for this model has already been received by Siemens. Seven models will be put into operation in the Berlin-Brandenburg region from December 2024.

According to Siemens, the Mireo Plus H has a range of 600 kilometers and reaches a top speed of 160 km/h. The larger three-part sibling is expected to have a range of 1,000 kilometers, matching the Coradia iLint.

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