Railways makes history running both hydrogen train and vintage steam engine

Payyanur: Indian Railways has written a new chapter in its history by showcasing centuries of monumental evolution in locomotive engineering. Whilst a historic steam engine continues to puff through Mettupalayam, the railways successfully operated India's first hydrogen-powered train on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana on Friday.

The newly introduced hydrogen train emits only water vapour, with absolutely no fire, smoke or harmful emissions. Capable of reaching speeds of up to 110 km/h, the train accommodated 2,600 passengers during its debut run on the 90-kilometre Jind–Sonipat section.

In stark contrast, Indian Railways continues to run its iconic, first-generation steam locomotive on the Mettupalayam–Ooty metre-gauge route. The steam engine hauls the train up the mountain for a 27-kilometre stretch from Mettupalayam to Coonoor. The locomotive operates at a speed of just 22.5 km/h between Mettupalayam and Kallar, which drops further to 11.8 km/h on the steep incline from Kallar to Coonoor. For the final 19-kilometre leg from Coonoor to Ooty, a modern diesel engine replaces the steam locomotive.

Previously, these vintage engines relied on coal to boil water and generate steam. Today, diesel is used in the boiler instead of coal to heat the water and create the steam required to propel the engine, with smoke releasing through the chimney.

Whilst the hydrogen engine is entirely different from conventional diesel and electric locomotives, it shares a subtle conceptual similarity with the historic steam engine, as water serves as the primary resource in the broader cycle of power generation. The hydrogen train utilises hydrogen fuel cells to produce the electricity required for propulsion. These fuel cells combine hydrogen with oxygen to generate electrical energy.

The train features lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells housed within two power cars, with individual fuel cells also installed across each coach. Any surplus electricity generated during operation is stored in the lithium batteries for later use.