THE European-led FCH2RAIL project reached a milestone in early March with the conclusion of extensive running tests in Spain.
The 1668mm-gauge, three-car hydrogen-powered-multiple unit was based in Madrid for the early part of 2024. As one of the final tests, the train successfully operated for 804km without needing to refuel, running on the line from Madrid to Mérida via Cáceres.
The ex-Renfe CAF class 463 Civia EMU has been repurposed as a demonstrator train with hydrogen fuel cells and batteries. This year it simulated commercial operation from Madrid to Talavera, Monfragüe and Cáceres.
Last year the train successfully negotiated the steeply-graded line between Zaragoza (elevation 243m above sea level) and the Pyrenean village of Canfranc (1195m), before moving to a 94km high-altitude section of the line between Torralba and Soria in the region of Castilla y León.
The €14m project is being undertaken by a consortium of rail industry companies and other organisations, including Renfe, Adif, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Toyota CNH2, Infrastructure Portugal (IP), and Stemmann-Technik. It has European Union (EU) research and development funding until the end of this year.
