Germany’s Blackout News here reports the latest example of what happens when green energy fantasies clash with reality, in this case trains powered by hydrogen. 
Symbol image. Source: Alstom press release here.
According to the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV), the hydrogen trains on the Taunusbahn have been temporarily taken out of service and diesel locomotives are being used again. The hydrogen locomotives are manufactured by Alstom and are reported to have been “fault-prone” and are currently being improved.
“The project was launched in December 2022 with great expectations. The plan was to deploy the world’s largest fleet of hydrogen trains on the Taunusbahn. But problems arose early on,” reports Blackout News. “Even at the start, Alstom was unable to deliver the promised number of vehicles. Technical defects became more frequent in the following months.”
RMV was thus forced to put the diesel locomotives back in service, but calls the measure “a temporary solution until the end of 2025.” The hydrogen powered operation remains the the overall aim. Alstom is currently overhauling the hydrogen trains to make them ready for long-term, reliable operation.
By returning to the diesel trains, RMV is focusing on reliability while hoping hydrogen will improve enough to be put back in service by the end of this year. “This measure shows that sustainable technologies continue to pose challenges,” Blackout News summarizes.
While green energies can be used in a number of applications, they are proving to be a major technological challenge in the transport sector.
“German Rail Operator Switches Back To Diesel Locomotives, Hopes Measure Will Be Temporary”
A safe bet: They will be permanent
Would that be a hydrogen pushin’ choo choo boo boo??
In the US, vehicles that are carrying flammable gas are not allowed in tunnels. How do the hydrogen powered locomotives handle that problem?
Good job they didn’t sell or scrap those old Diesel Locos.
They probably have.
“According to the RMV, Alstom will cover the costs of renting the diesel trains.”
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They have nice paint. They could be re-purposed as homes when – finally – it is found they are not fit for transporting people that need to get from Point A to Point B in a timely manner.
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The greenhouse effect of water vapor produced when hydrogen is used is at least three times more global warming than carbon dioxide. Hydrogen is currently most efficiently produced from natural gas. Also with CO2 as a byproduct. Hydrogen technology is a sham in order to obtain subsidies.
Assuming that the railcars themselves are like all other railcars, the ‘fault prone’ excuse can only refer to the hydrogen power system. Why is it that Alstom cannot admit what the fault is, or is maintaining ‘green credentials’ more important?