Indian Railways has finalized the dates for the trial run of India’s First Hydrogen-powered train on the Jind-Soniopat Route in Haryana. It is slated for a trial run in January 2025, according to the Hindu Reports. 

Current Status
The Hydrogen Train is currently being developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai based on the specifications suggested by the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) as this remains to be the first-of-its type.  

According to the officials, all components like fuel cells, batteries, cooling systems, hydrogen cylinders, etc have been procured, tested, and cleared internally. Regarding tests, system integration & two-unit full synchronization tests have been done and shell designs have also been approved.   

Specifications of the  First Hydrogen-Powered Train 
As per the reports, it will be the most powerful Hydrogen train made so far as it will be the first of its kind train. It will exhibit an engine capacity of 2400 Kw and also the longest with 10 coaches as against 6 coaches, finalized earlier. 

It will have a storage capacity of 3000 Kg of hydrogen, the biggest installation globally, running at a speed of 140 km/hr at a cost of Rs 140/km. 

Potential Retro-fitting  
The Conventional Diesel Powered Driving Cars will be converted into Hydrogen Fuel-cell-powered DPCs. Probably, the 1220 KW DPC(s) will be retrofitted for the purpose. Currently, the project stands in the advanced stages of execution. 

The average development cost for developing a trainset (with 6 coaches) would be around Rs 80 Crore. For the first phase around 35 trainsets would be retrofitted so, the report mentions. Further good capital would be invested towards infrastructural development for facilitating the trains. 

On-Ground Infrastructure 
Certain specific infrastructures like refueling infra, etc required to be developed to facilitate the operations in a real manner. Globally, it includes hydrogen production-storage-dispensation facilities. One such facility with a capacity of 3000 Kg, with  a daily production capacity of 430 Kg will be developed at the Jind station   

Conventionally, Hydrogen trains can travel up to 1000 km without any refueling while refueling hardly takes 20 minutes depending upon the infrastructural capacity and specifications of the train. 

Commercial Operations 
If all goes well, the commercial operations are expected to begin in the next fiscal or March onwards on as many as 8 routes or sections under consideration as of now.