Hydrogen Trains Are Replacing Environmentally TOXIC Diesel Versions

[MrWowWow]

Case Study: Alstom

Alstom’s Hydrogen Trains

Germany – Coradia iLint Fleet

Initially launched around 2022, the Coradia iLint began regular passenger service in Germany, primarily in Lower Saxony and the Frankfurt area, with over 1.5 million km traveled across 10 countries .

However, by late 2024, persistent technical issues (e.g., fuel cell malfunctions, parts shortages) resulted in 18 out of 27 trains being withdrawn from service starting January 2025. They’re being temporarily replaced by leased diesel units, costs covered by Alstom .

Alstom has launched a modernization program, planning to overhaul the fleet, fitting new-generation fuel cells and larger hydrogen storage, all at their own expense. This led to RMV (Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund) reverting temporarily to diesel operations through 2025 .


Italy – Coradia Stream H / Stream HMU

In Valcamonica, northern Italy, starting next year (2026), 14 hydrogen-powered Coradia Stream trains—each with four cars—will replace diesel on a mountainous 110 km line. The project is backed by €367 million (EU + regional funding) and features on-site green hydrogen production via electrolysis .

The Coradia Stream H (HMU), derived from the iLint technology, is undergoing testing at Rovato. It boasts a range of ~660 km and seating capacity around 260, and its refueling and operational trials are underway after static and dynamic testing in Germany .

Delivery delays were reported: commercial service, once expected by 2023, is now slated to begin around 2025–2026 in the context of the H2iseO project .


North America – Canada Demonstration

In Quebec (Charlevoix region), Coradia iLint ran a demonstration service in summer 2023, carrying over 10,000 passengers and earning recognition on Fast Company’s 2024 World Changing Ideas list .


Hydrogen Freight & Fuel Cell R&D

Nestlé Waters France is set to operate Europe’s first hydrogen fuel cell–powered freight solution from 2025, using a generator wagon system developed by Alstom in partnership with ENGIE. This setup promises ~10,000 tons CO₂ emissions avoided annually .

HELION Hydrogen Power, a hydrogen subsidiary of Alstom, signed a strategic partnership (January 2025) to demonstrate a 100 kW fuel cell system compatible with hydrogen produced from methanol—which could expand hydrogen propulsion across diverse transport use cases.


Operational Commercial Hydrogen Passenger Trains

Germany – Alstom Coradia iLint

The world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train to enter commercial service, starting in September 2018 in Lower Saxony. It’s still in regular operation today.


**Japan – JR East FV‑E991 Series (“HYBARI”)**

A hydrogen fuel-cell EMU that entered fare-paying service in March 2022 on the Tsurumi and Nambu lines.


**United States – Zero‑Emission Multiple Unit (Zemu)**

Deployed in San Bernardino County, California, on the Arrow Corridor between Redlands and San Bernardino, this hydrogen-battery hybrid train is operational and the first commercial hydrogen passenger train in North America.




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Operational Commercial Hydrogen Freight Trains

Canada – CPKC Hydrogen Locomotive Conversions

Canadian Pacific Kansas City retrofitted three diesel-electric locomotives with hydrogen fuel-cell and battery systems. These hydrogen-powered freight locomotives are now in regular commercial operation.

Reference URLs List:

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/hydrogen-powered-trains-transforming-rail-travel
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https://www.alstom.com/solutions/rolling-stock/alstom-coradia-ilint-worlds-1st-hydrogen-powered-passenger-train
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_train
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FV-E991_series
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https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/sep/03/california-hydrogen-powered-train-air-quality-solution
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https://www.eralberta.ca/projects/details/hydrogen-locomotive-program


YouTube URLs:

[ornotna]

1. Got a link to this information?

Last edited Sat Aug 23, 2025, 01:30 PM - Edit history (1)

That would be helpful.

Adding
* thanks for the links *

[MineralMan]

2. Actually, they really aren't.

Those demonstration projects merely hint that there might be a possibility of that happening sometime in the future. At this time, it's all just an experiment, and one that has run into many problems, as described in your text.