Stadler Rail’s hydrogen powered multiple-unit passenger trainset has set a record by traveling more than 1,700 miles without refueling or recharging.

The FLIRT H2 trainset, destined for use on the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority’s Arrow service, covered 1,741.7 miles on the test loop at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo. The record run — certified by observers from the Guinness World Records team — began on the evening of March 20. With the train operated in shifts by engineers from Stadler and ENSCO, operators of the TTC, it concluded more than 46 hours later, at 5:32 p.m. Mountain time on March 22.

  • Hypx@fedia.ioOPM
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    10 months ago

    The loop is huge, so probably not that many.

    If you can power a train, you power a car. Critics are just people who bet too money on other ideas.

    • Rentlar
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      10 months ago

      I don’t doubt at all that it can be done!

      Just know you’re talking to a person who thinks gas-powered cars, electric/battery-powered cars, hydrogen cars are 3 flavours of an inefficient mode of transport. ;)

      When it comes to distribution, storage and usage of fuel, fueling long distance trains with it makes a lot of sense. Over short distances it’s a bit harder to justify over electrification.

      • Hypx@fedia.ioOPM
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        10 months ago

        I agree that cars are not ideal. The ideal solution is to not have cars at all, and instead use bikes, mass transit, walking, etc. But there are situations where cars are unavoidable, and that will likely require some kind of chemically fueled car. Hydrogen cars would be one such option.