ICF to roll out India’s first-hydrogen powered train by August 31

Chennai: With the successful testing of the country’s first hydrogen-powered coach on Friday, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai is preparing to roll out India’s first hydrogen train by the end of August.

This non-air-conditioned train, which will feature two hydrogen-fuelled power cars at both ends and eight passenger cars, is planned to run on the Jind-Sonepat route under Northern Railways.

ICF is developing a 1,200 HP prototype hydrogen train, positioning India among global leaders in green train technology.

“We tested the first power car (Driving Power Car) today, and it was successful. We will test the second car in two weeks and then begin integrating the full train which will be eight cars for passengers and the two power cars. Our plan is to roll out the first train from ICF by August 31,” U Subba Rao, General Manager, ICF, told DH in an interview.

All ten coaches will be integrated, after which the train will undergo trials and tests within the ICF premises in Villivakkam. “We will condition the train at ICF and conduct initial trial runs in the yard. Final testing will be done by Northern Railways, as the ecosystem for hydrogen trains is being set up there,” the GM added.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video on Friday morning of the first hydrogen-powered coach being successfully tested at ICF, Chennai.

The train, designed for speeds up to 110 km per hour, will resemble a conventional passenger train operating on short-distance routes.

“Every train needs power; in this case, the source is hydrogen. We generate electricity from hydrogen, which is then stored in batteries. Electricity from these batteries, along with other rectifiers and electrical systems, is routed to the traction motors mounted on the train’s axles,” Rao said.

Northern Railways is also setting up a plant to produce hydrogen for these trains. Once ICF hands over the train to the Railway Board, further tests and safety trials will be required before the train can enter commercial service.

Rao said the first hydrogen-powered train is a technology demonstrator for both ICF and Indian Railways, ensuring that India remains up-to-date with emerging technologies.

“This is just a prototype. Testing will help us determine real-world requirements. Not everything should be assessed purely in terms of cost. We should focus on the fact that we are developing technology and preparing for the future,” he added.

In 2023, Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha that Indian Railways plans to run 35 hydrogen trains under the "Hydrogen for Heritage" initiative, with an estimated cost of Rs 80 crore per train and Rs 70 crore per route for ground infrastructure, covering various heritage and hill routes.