ROSCO and rail researchers aim to create the UK’s first hydrogen train

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BCRRE and Porterbrook signed a memorandum of understanding formalising the partnership at InnoTrans. Photo: Porterbrook.
BCRRE and Porterbrook signed a memorandum of understanding formalising the partnership at InnoTrans. Photo: Porterbrook.
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Rolling stock operating company Porterbrook and the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) are working together to create the UK’s first hydrogen-powered train.

The train, known as ‘HydroFlex’, will see one of Porterbrook’s Class 319s converted by rail researchers from BCRRE.

It will retain the ability to operate across electric routes and will also be capable of operating in self-powered mode, without the need for diesel engines, thanks to the addition of a hydrogen fuel-cell.

Development work has recently begun and HydroFlex will undertake testing and demonstration runs in summer 2019.


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BCRRE, the largest university-based centre for railway research and education in Europe, has already undertaken a significant amount of research into the potential application of hydrogen fuel cell technology to railway operations.

Porterbrook CEO Mary Grant said: “The HydroFlex will not only showcase rail innovation, it will also demonstrate how the private sector railway can effectively partner with educational bodies to jointly deliver real benefits to passengers, train operators and the communities our railways serve.”

Earlier this year rail minister Jo Johnson challenged the rail industry to develop decarbonisation plans, with the objective of removing diesel-only trains from the network by 2040.

HydroFlex isn’t the only project to develop a hydrogen-powered train for the UK. Alstom is working with Eversholt Rail to convert Class 321 electric trains to hydrogen operation.


Read more: World’s first hydrogen fuel-cell trains enter service in Lower Saxony