INDIA 1 ST HYDROGEN TRAIN

HYDROGEN TRAIN TRAIL DETAILS

Selected as pilot route to test hydrogen tech under real operating conditions. Indian Railways built dedicated hydrogen production, storage & refueling facility at Jind. PESO has licensed compressed hydrogen storage at the site. 

what makes it special

World’s longest & most powerful hydrogen train on broad gauge

Indigenous: Designed by RDSO, built by ICF Chennai under “Atmanirbhar Bharat”

Safety: Hydrogen leak detectors, flame detection, continuous monitoring

Green: Zero emissions at point of use. Hydrogen produced via electrolysis at Jind plant = green hydrogen . 

Timeline

Jan 2026: Trial runs began

Mar 27, 2026: Oscillation trial completed

May 22, 2026: Railway Board approval for 10-car DEMU

May 27, 2026: Official approval announced

June 26, 2026: Final 120 kmph trial done . 

Bigger Picture – “Hydrogen for Heritage”

Indian Railways plans 35 hydrogen trains for heritage & hill routes. Each train ~₹80 crore. This puts India with Germany, Japan, China, US in hydrogen rail tech. 

How it works

Hydrogen from tanks → fuel cell reacts with oxygen → generates electricity → powers motors + charges batteries. Byproduct: only water vapour. 

Recent trial details

June 24: RDSO team reached Jind for final checks

June 26: Ran Jind-Sonipat at 120 kmph. Tested braking, vibration, engine capacity

Next: Passenger service after final regulatory & operational procedures  .