Ontario Ministry of Transport is engaging with train manufacturers Alstom and Siemens to produce concept designs that incorporate hydrogen fuel cells into bi-level trains similar to those currently used by GO Transit.
“The potential benefit of hydrogen fuel cells compared to overhead wires makes exploring hydrogen rail technology worthwhile,” Kathryn McGarry, Minister of Transport said.
Also, the province is issuing a request for proposals (RFP) for designs for a hydrogen fuel cell-powered locomotive, which could lead to a prototype rail vehicle that would be tested on the GO rail network. An HFC (hydrogen fuel cells) locomotive would be an electrically powered locomotive where the electricity is generated using hydrogen that is stored on-board the train.
On February 22, Ontario Ministry of Transport released province’s Hydrogen Rail (Hydrail) Feasibility Study, which found that it would be feasible to build and operate electrified rail service on GO Transit and the UP Express using hydrogen-powered trains at a cost comparable to conventional electrification using overhead wires.
The study investigated the technical and economic feasibility of the Hydrail System using hydrogen fuel cells to electrify the GO rail service.
Electrifying the GO rail network is part of the largest rail project in Canada as Ontario transforms GO from a commuter transit system to a regional rapid transit system.
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