It's not mentioned in the article, but hydrogen doesn't occur naturally and most of it is obtained from methane in natural gas. In effect, it's used mostly as energy storage, and its benefits to the environment are up to debate.The hydrogen, or hydrail, train is set to run on the Buxtehude-Bremervörde-Bremerhaven-Cuxhaven line in Lower Saxony starting in December 2017, Die Welt reported on Tuesday.
The hydrogen train operates using a hydrogen fuel tank, stored on the roof of the train, that in turn powers a fuel cell to produce electrical energy. This technology provides a new environmentally friendly alternative to the diesel trains that are still used across much of Germany.
With a full tank, the new locomotive will be able to travel 600 to 800 kilometers.
Because of its much larger fuel capacity, the train does not have to confront the same problems that hydro-cars face with refueling. Another advantage is its quietness: even at its top speed of 140 km/h, the only noise is that produced by the motion of the wheels and air resistance.
The vehicle itself uses fuel cells to bind oxygen to hydrogen to create the dreaded dihydrogen monoxide and electricity.