Hydrogen on track for rail freight in North America

Pilot projects are replacing diesel-electric locomotives with hydrogen-electric systems

Pilot projects for hydrogen-electric freight locomotives are piling up in North America after a relatively slow start compared with China and Europe. Two Vancouver-based companies, hydrogen fuel cell firm Loop Energy and hydrogen storage provider Hydrogen-in-Motion (H2M), announced plans in early September to convert a diesel-electric switcher locomotive to hydrogen in conjunction with its owner, Southern Railway of BC, and the University of British Columbia Okanagan School of Engineering. Switcher locomotives are used for short-haul purposes in railyards and ports, whereas line-haul locomotives tend to cover intercity routes. “This is a monumental step in making zero-emission rail tra