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Locomotives would also have much easier time using hydrogen fuel cells. They already have fixed custom gas stations.

_hypx 5y ago
Other companies are buying hydrogen locomotives: https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/cp-to-build-additional-hydrogen-locomotives-fueling-facilities/ https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/cp-to-buil...
KennyBlanken 5y ago
Switching to fuel cells would only achieve a slight efficiency improvement; large diesels are pretty efficient. Trying to maintain hydrogen fuel systems in railroad environments would be a nightmare; hydrogen leaks out of everything. What it doesn't leak out of, it embrittles. Fuel cells require ultra-pure source gasses, not something you really find in railroad environments. It seemed like the future 2-3 decades ago but it just hasn't matured sufficiently, and we'd have to develop an entirely new production and distribution chain for it.
- _hypx 5y ago
  It's already happening: https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/cp-to-build-additional-hydrogen-locomotives-fueling-facilities/ https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/cp-to-buil... You're just outdated on your info.
- deepsun 5y ago
  Leaks -- yes, but it's much easier to maintain in regularly professionally maintained commercial-only bulk equipment, than in personal cars and garages. Embrittlement is a known problem, and pretty much any alloy of steel helps against it. Various coatings are used as well (e.g. organic compounds). It's a well-researched area, so it's possible to estimate and engineer around it. Re. ultra-pure source gasses, I don't know, maybe, but I don't see any difference with gasoline or Jet-A fuels. Airports aren't ultra-clean environments either.
csours 5y ago
Disclosure: I work for GM, not on this. https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/gm-supply-electric-batteries-hydrogen-fuel-cell-systems-wabtec-locomotive-2021-06-15/ https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/gm-sup...

Other companies are buying hydrogen locomotives: https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/cp-to-build-additional-hydrogen-locomotives-fueling-facilities/ https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/cp-to-buil...

KennyBlanken 5y ago

Switching to fuel cells would only achieve a slight efficiency improvement; large diesels are pretty efficient. Trying to maintain hydrogen fuel systems in railroad environments would be a nightmare; hydrogen leaks out of everything. What it doesn't leak out of, it embrittles. Fuel cells require ultra-pure source gasses, not something you really find in railroad environments. It seemed like the future 2-3 decades ago but it just hasn't matured sufficiently, and we'd have to develop an entirely new production and distribution chain for it.

_hypx 5y ago
It's already happening: https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/cp-to-build-additional-hydrogen-locomotives-fueling-facilities/ https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/cp-to-buil... You're just outdated on your info.
deepsun 5y ago
Leaks -- yes, but it's much easier to maintain in regularly professionally maintained commercial-only bulk equipment, than in personal cars and garages. Embrittlement is a known problem, and pretty much any alloy of steel helps against it. Various coatings are used as well (e.g. organic compounds). It's a well-researched area, so it's possible to estimate and engineer around it. Re. ultra-pure source gasses, I don't know, maybe, but I don't see any difference with gasoline or Jet-A fuels. Airports aren't ultra-clean environments either.

csours 5y ago

Disclosure: I work for GM, not on this. https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/gm-supply-electric-batteries-hydrogen-fuel-cell-systems-wabtec-locomotive-2021-06-15/ https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/gm-sup...