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International Hydrail Conference
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Research
1970s and 1980s – Research into the use of hydrogen and fuel cells in railway applications …
Technology
HYDRAIL hy·drail \’hī-drāl\ n 1. a propulsion device that runs on rails and is fueled …
More Alstom Fuel Cell Trains To Be Deployed In Europe
Twenty-seven (27) Alstom fuel cell trains have been ordered by fahma, an RMV subsidiary. The …
IMechE Calls For Hydrogen Trains on Non-electrified Lines
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is calling for urgent action to introduce hydrogen trains in …
What is Hydrail?
Today we are used to two types of railway transport: either electric trains that take power that
is generated elsewhere and brought to the train via a overhead catenary or a so-called “third
rail” or diesel trains that covert the energy contained in the fuel in an often quite large diesel
engine and bring it to the wheels using different forms of transmission. The diesel dominates
on a worldwide base because it enables autonomous operation with comparatively low
investment: All you need is a track, signalling, fuel for the locomotive or DMU and off you go.
But diesel power means carbon footprint, pollutant emissions from particulates to nitrogen
oxides right where the train is running – often enough close to where people live.