The MoU was announced at InnoTrans in Berlin, Germany this week. The hydrogen-powered train is Stadler’s FLIRT H2, which is on display at InnoTrans, alongside six other sustainable drive solutions from the manufacturer.
The FLIRT H2 multiple unit is first being developed for the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) and, Stadler noted, is the first hydrogen-powered passenger train for the USA. “It is instrumental in bringing zero-emission rail technology to the US,” the company added.
FLIRT H2 is intended for passenger service on the Redlands Passenger Rail Project in California. The Redlands Passenger Rail Project is a 14km link between Redlands and the San Bernardino Metrolink station.
The FLIRT H2 vehicle consists of two cars and a middle section referred to as the “powerpack”. This holds the fuel cells and the hydrogen tanks. In the “powerpack”, hydrogen is converted into electric current, which is stored in a traction battery. The battery then supplies the vehicle’s drive system, HVAC system and other comfort facilities with power.
In this configuration, the train can also recover kinetic energy when braking, so that this can also be re-used to drive the train. The train can reach a maximum speed of 130 km per hour (79 mph).
Alongside the FLIRT H2, Stadler is presenting several world premieres at InnoTrans, including the world record-breaking battery-powered FLIRT train, the EURO9000 model, which is the most powerful hybrid locomotive in Europe, and the next-generation TINA tram. Read more here.