Indian Railways: The engines of hydrogen trains present around the world generate energy of 500 to 600 horsepower, while the hydrogen train of Indian Railways will be able to generate energy up to 1200 horsepower.
Indian Railways has taken a big leap towards developing the country’s first hydrogen train. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said in the Rajya Sabha on Friday that this train will be one of the longest and most powerful hydrogen trains in the world. This train will be advanced not only in length and strength, but also at the technology level.
He further said that the country’s first hydrogen train is being developed with completely indigenous technology. It is being prepared through retrofitment of hydrogen fuel cells on Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rakes. Railway Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO) has prepared its specifications.
The Railway Minister was responding to a question from MP Ajit Kumar Bhuiyan, who wanted to know the status of development of hydrogen powered train technology. In response, Vaishnav said, “Along with the train, an integrated hydrogen production-storage-distribution facility has been conceived to refill hydrogen.” He said that in view of this, the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) has been requested for the necessary safety approval.
The Railway Minister has termed it as an important initiative of Indian Railways towards a clean and green future, which will promote the use of alternative energy sources. So far only four countries have developed hydrogen trains. These countries include Germany, France, Sweden and China.
However, this train of India can surpass these four countries in many ways. In fact, the engines of existing hydrogen trains generate energy of 500 to 600 horsepower, while the hydrogen train of Indian Railways will be able to generate energy up to 1200 horsepower. That is, it will be almost twice as powerful as the existing hydrogen trains.
