CSX debuts its first hydrogen-fuel cell locomotive. Switcher converted to hydrogen power at the railroad's shop in W. VA

[Caribbeans]

CSX debuts its first hydrogen-fuel cell locomotive

Trains.com | Bill Stephens | April 16, 2024

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – CSX today debuted its first hydrogen fuel-cell locomotive, which was converted from a conventional four-axle unit using a conversion kit supplied by Canadian Pacific Kansas City.

The locomotive, No. 2100, was built at CSX’s Huntington Locomotive Shop in West Virginia, which will handle hydrogen fuel cell conversions under a partnership with CPKC.

“The successful debut of our first hydrogen-powered locomotive stands as a testament to the exceptional skill and dedication of our employees at the CSX Huntington locomotive shop,” CEO Joe Hinrichs said in a statement. “CSX’s commitment to sustainability in our operations is exemplified by the outstanding efforts of these employees, who, through their craftsmanship, are helping advance our collaboration with CPKC. We are proud to work with CPKC to scale this hydrogen technology and help pave the way for meaningful sustainable solutions for the future.”

The 2100 conversion reused several components, including the frame, cab, traction, motors, and trucks from the original EMD diesel-electric locomotive.

The locomotive made its debut less than 12 months after CSX and CPKC announced their collaboration last summer [see “CPKC and CSX team up …,” Trains News Wire, June 22, 2023]. CPKC has two low-horsepower hydrogen fuel cell locomotives in service, and has plans to test a high-horsepower, six-axle unit in revenue coal service this year in British Columbia. The road locomotive is currently undergoing testing, CPKC spokesman Patrick Waldron says...more
https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/csx-debuts-its-first-hydrogen-fuel-cell-locomotive/

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Apr 15, 2024
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[Think. Again.]

1. Thanks for posting this....

...I watched the video that's linked in the full article to see if this was a H2 combustion conversion or a full-on electric conversion and it turns out this is an electric locomotive now!

I know that existing diesel locomotives can be updated either way, and I was expecting just a quick switch-out of the old desiel engine to a H2 combustion engine, but they went with a H2 fuel cell power electric drive for this one.

Also...

Thanks for the info on the World Hydrogen 2024 Summit & Exhibition!

I've been seeing promotions for the Hydrogen Americas 2024 Summit and Exposition in June ( https://www.hydrogen-americas-summit.com ) in the https://www.fuelcellsworks.com newsletter, but didn't know about the World Summit.