CANADIAN Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) is currently evaluating the performance of a prototype hydrogen tender and fuelling system for emission-free operation of freight trains. The tender, developed by HGmotive, started testing with CPKC in November and will operate in freight trains throughout this year.
Rather than converting an existing locomotive design, HGmotive has developed a purpose-built tender that can be connected to any compatible hydrogen-powered locomotive. The design is based on a tender using liquified natural gas (LNG) developed by HGmotive in 2019.
The hydrogen tender is expected to be available for commercial use by mid-2025.
HGmotive says the tender and fuelling system complies with all the safety requirements of Transport Canada, the Association of American Railroads (AAR), US Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and US Department of Transportation. A tender with higher capacity is already under development.
“Locomotives powered by hydrogen are unable to carry sufficient onboard hydrogen to meet the needs of today’s long-haul routes,” says Mr David Scott, president and CEO of HGmotive.
“To accommodate the need for additional hydrogen it was necessary to develop a hydrogen tender, a specialised wagon designed to transport hydrogen and provide fuel to the locomotive.”
Last summer CPKC ordered 18 200kW hydrogen locomotives from Ballard to bolster its development of alternative traction.
