India's First Hydrogen-Powered Train

tested

India successfully tested its first hydrogen-powered train coach at Chennai's Integral Coach Factory (ICF) under the 'Hydrogen for Heritage' project. The Indian Railways aims to deploy 35 hydrogen trains and become the world’s most powerful hydrogen propulsion system for railway transport. The train will operate between the Northern Railway stations of Jind and Sonipat in Haryana, covering two round trips of 356 km. The project involves converting two conventional 1600-horsepower diesel power cars into a hydrogen fuel cell-powered traction system, with a final train comprising 10 coaches accommodating over 2,600 passengers. Additionally, a hydrogen storage and fueling facility with a capacity of 3,000 kg of hydrogen is being established in Haryana’s Jind district. Engineering design and conversion tasks are undertaken by Hyderabad-based Medha Servo Drives at ICF Chennai. The project includes a pilot retrofit of a Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) with hydrogen fuel cells for the Jind–Sonipat section. The German safety auditor TÜV SÜD ensures safety standards.