Indian Railways is also working to fortify the train tracks between Shimla and Kalka to operate the train at speeds of around 100 km/hr.
New Delhi: The launch of India’s first hydrogen fuel cell train is likely to face a delay until June due to technical issues identified during testing, according to a Moneycontrol report quoting multiple officials familiar with the matter. The government had, in 2023-24, targeted to have the train up and running by December 2024.
“While testing the train, it was found that its hydrogen fuel cell capacity needs to be increased for it to operate at maximum load-carrying capacity,” a senior Indian Railways official told Moneycontrol.
The official further added that the modifications to the hydrogen train will take around two-three months along with testing, following which the train will be launched for commercial use. It is important to note that the train is expected to run on the heritage Kalka-Shimla route.
Originally scheduled to begin operations on the 96 kilometre Shimla-Kalka route in Dec 2024, the train was found capable of travelling the distance on a single cell at under 80 percent load in extreme weather.
Senior officials told Moneycontrol that the train, with a capacity of 2,638 passengers, will need to operate at a reduced speed when carrying over 2,200 passengers in temperatures below 5°C or above 35°C to complete its journey between Shimla and Kalka.
“The hydrogen train may struggle to operate at a top speed of 110 km/hr in the mountainous terrain with close to maximum loads in extreme weather,” a second railway official said. He further added that the upcoming prototype of the hydrogen train will be developed with a bigger fuel cell to address such issues.
Indian Railways is also working to fortify the train tracks between Shimla and Kalka to operate the train at speeds of around 100 km/hr. “The railway authorities have invited executives from the renewable industry to examine the model,” said another person familiar with the matter.
All You Need To Know About Hydrogen Train:
- The train features a 1,200 horsepower hydrogen engine, making it the most powerful hydrogen train globally.
- It uses advanced fuel cells that combine hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, emitting only water vapor.
- The engine was developed entirely with indigenous talent, showcasing India’s capability to innovate in clean energy solutions.
- The train will initially operate on the 89-km Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana.
- The train is designed for short-distance travel.
- The train is designed to carry 2,638 passengers.
- It features 8 passenger coaches.
- Three coaches will be dedicated to storing hydrogen cylinders and housing integrated fuel cell converters, batteries, and air reservoirs.
Manufactured by the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF), the hydrogen train is part of India’s broader push for zero-emission mobility. The Ministry of Railways had allocated Rs 2,800 crore in the 2023-24 financial year to develop 35 hydrogen fuel cell-based trains as part of its green energy initiatives.
