The State of California and Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler have signed an agreement for the supply of hydrogen trains this Thursday. Under the contract worth 80 million US dollars (approximately 75 million euros), Stadler will provide the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and Caltrans with four hydrogen fuel cell trains, with an option to […]
Is the infrastructure for hydrogen cheaper than placing powelines along the tracks?
Hydrogen station in San Diego cots $700-800k, so propably. However hydrogen costs a lot more then electricity, so operating the trains will be significantly more expensive.
Yeah I kinda thought so, I know usually the simplist solution is usually the best. I wonder why they went with hydrogen. Was money involved in this decision?
The trains will mainly run between Merced and Sacramento on Union Pacific track. That route is part of the second phase of California hsr, so after the LA - San Fransico part is built. For that the relativly cheap hydrogen infrastructure is propably cheaper, at least for three round trips per day right now. Long term it will be built properly.