(Munich) - Siemens Mobility has completed the first test drives with the hydrogen-powered train “Mireo Plus H” in Bavaria. The two-part train will initially be tested on the routes between Augsburg and Füssen as well as Augsburg and Peissenberg on the Bavarian Regiobahn (BRB) rail network and will be used in passenger transport from mid-2024.
End diesel operation in regional rail transport
The pilot operation is planned for 30 months and will be financed by the two Bavarian ministries of economics and transport as a leasing model with a total of 2026 million euros until 4,35. “It will then depend on the results of these tests whether we decide to use hydrogen-powered trains on further routes,” says Bavaria’s Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter.
According to a report in “Merkur”, a test with three vehicles has also been announced on the Mühldorf route network. Siemens Mobility is “the only interested party”.
Bavaria's goal is to end diesel operation in regional rail transport in the state by 2040. “In addition to the electrification of routes and the use of battery-powered trains, hydrogen propulsion can be an important factor in achieving this goal,” said the Transport Minister.
The “Mireo Plus H” is based on the Mireo platform from Siemens Mobility. Two roof-mounted fuel cells are complemented by a lithium-ion battery. The traction power is 1,7 megawatts and enables a top speed of 160 kilometers per hour. One tank of fuel is enough for 1.000 to 1.200 kilometers.
Cooperation between Siemens and DB
The beginnings of the development go back to 2020. In November of that year, Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Siemens Mobility announced that they wanted to test a “completely new overall system” consisting of a newly developed train and a newly designed gas station. In 2022, Deutsche Bahn AG carried out a high-profile test drive with the Mireo Plus H in the presence of political celebrities and managers.
The train presented at the time is identical to the hydrogen train for Bayerische Regiobahn GmbH. Brandenburg's Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn AG (NEB) is also interested in the rail vehicle. A total of seven trains are scheduled to operate on the Heidekrautbahn (RB2024) network from autumn 27.
Lower Saxony is already further along
Alstom's regional train “Coradia iLint”. © Alstom AS
However, while Siemens is still planning and rehearsing in Germany, its French competitor Alstom AS is already further ahead: For example, in August 2022, 14 “Coradia iLint” trains with fuel cell drives began regular passenger service in Bremervörde, Lower Saxony.
Some of these now supply the Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervörde and Buxtehude route every hour. The Regional trains replace 15 diesel trains and are expected to save 1,6 million liters of conventional fuel per year. According to Alstom, one kilogram of hydrogen replaces approximately 4,5 liters of diesel fuel. The “Coradia iLint” is also on the rails in neighboring countries or is at least firmly planned for local public transport and ordered by transport companies.
Photos
The “Mireo Plus H” fuel cell train on a test drive in Bavaria. © Siemens Mobility
