This might provide a cheap way to put in rail without having to provide electric power along it. I imagine building out electric grid along the rail line is a lot more costly and time consuming.
I wonder if the stronger use case will be putting trains on preexisting tracks that might not already have the overhead space for overhead lines along the entire track. I’m guessing that it’s far easier to electrify as you’re building than to retrofit a line.
I looked this up and found this article. Sounds like Germany just opened a line as well, though it looks like it’s more of an interurban line so the headline is technically correct about China being first for an urban train. It sounds like Germany thinks the sweet spot for hydrogen is lines that don’t get heavy use. My guess is that the locomotives would cost more, but if fewer are running per track-mile that would be justified over the cost of electrification of the line.
This might provide a cheap way to put in rail without having to provide electric power along it. I imagine building out electric grid along the rail line is a lot more costly and time consuming.
I wonder if the stronger use case will be putting trains on preexisting tracks that might not already have the overhead space for overhead lines along the entire track. I’m guessing that it’s far easier to electrify as you’re building than to retrofit a line.
I looked this up and found this article. Sounds like Germany just opened a line as well, though it looks like it’s more of an interurban line so the headline is technically correct about China being first for an urban train. It sounds like Germany thinks the sweet spot for hydrogen is lines that don’t get heavy use. My guess is that the locomotives would cost more, but if fewer are running per track-mile that would be justified over the cost of electrification of the line.
Yeah that makes sense, using existing infrastructure that’s built for self powered locomotives is a lot easier this way.