Vivarail plans to build hydrogen-powered train

Vivarail has announced plans for a four-car hydrogen D-Train.

The company says the modular design of the Class 230s allows a hydrogen-powered set to have more seats. It has also confirmed that trains entering traffic with diesel gensets can be modified to be hydrogen-powered.

Its hydrogen-powered ‘230’ D-Train will follow the design of five ordered by Transport for Wales, by having two driving vehicles powered by Hoppecke batteries. The difference is that rather than a diesel genset beneath the two intermediate vehicles, hydrogen tanks and fuel cells will be housed there. This means that seats and the interior will not be compromised.

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