Alstom and Eversholt Rail to give hydrogen boost to Class 321 electric trains

The move is said to represent the rail industry’s first substantive response to calls from government to phase out diesel rolling stock by 2040.

“The potential for hydrogen trains is enormous,” said Nick Crossfield, managing director, Alstom UK & Ireland. “Not only are hydrogen trains zero carbon, they are near-silent and emit no particulates, which means they offer substantial air quality and noise pollution benefits too.”

Crossfield added that under 50 per cent of the UK rail network is electrified, a situation exacerbated in 2017 when transport secretary Chris Grayling cancelled three rail electrification projects.

Alstom is currently investigating alternatives to diesel rolling stock with the Coradia iLint, a passenger train that runs on electricity generated by a hydrogen fuel cell.

Hydrogen can be produced using sustainable electricity and electrolysis or through industrial processes. The fuel cell on the train produces electricity through a combination of hydrogen and oxygen to create water. The electrical energy is intermediately stored in batteries and the train is powered by an electrical traction drive.