Hydrogen trains will be used – seemingly for the first time – in the Berlin-Brandenburg and Bavarian regions in Germany, following a 12 December announcement by Siemens Mobility. The group said the first Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains have received authorization for passenger operation in time for the scheduled timetable change on December 15, 2024, and are ready to inaugurate passenger service.
Andre Rodenbeck, CEO Rolling Stock, Siemens Mobility, said his group were “delighted to be a driving force behind the phasing out of diesel trains.”
“This transition will reduce CO2 emissions and provide passengers in Germany with climate-friendly, powerful, and comfortable trains.”
Rail operator Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn Betriebsgesellschaft will operate seven Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains on the Heidekrautbahn line in Berlin-Brandenburg. These trains will save 1.1 million litres of diesel fuel per year and reduce CO2 emissions by 3,000 tons, says Siemens. Locally produced hydrogen will be used in the trains’ fuel cells, and water vapour will be the only emitted by-product. In addition, recovered braking energy will be used to further increase the trains’ energy efficiency.
The Mireo Plus H, named “Freistaat Bayern”, will replace diesel trains at Bayrische Regiobahn (BRB) for two and a half years as of Monday, December 16, 2024. Test operations will begin in stages, starting with selected runs in the East Allgäu-Lechfeld network. Operations will later be expanded and the train will then also run on the Ammersee-Altmühltal network. The new Mireo Plus H provides an environmentally friendly, quiet and efficient alternative to diesel propulsion, which is scheduled to be fully phased out in Bavaria’s regional rail system by 2040.
The Mireo Plus H train features an operating range of up to 1,200 kilometers, and is powered by an H2 traction system with a drive power of 1.7 MW for accelerating up to 1.1 m/s2, and has a top speed of 160 km/h.
“Employing state-of-the-art technology, the Mireo Plus H sets new standards in emission-free passenger transportation. We are especially pleased about this openness to new and innovative rail technology and that this climate-friendly and comfortable train will now be available to passengers in Bavaria and Berlin-Brandenburg.”
