Hydrogen train with record ride through Colorado

The Netherlands, Germany, USA: Stadler's FLIRT is used in numerous local rail transport operations. And since 2022, the train's hydrogen drive system has been fine-tuned to make it ready for practical use.

Because the railcar is electric and there is even a battery-powered version, the technical implementation was less complex than it might seem.

For the big practical test on March 20, 2024, staff from the Guinness Book of World Records were invited to take part. And they confirmed the world record.

But the 2,803 kilometers (1,742 miles) covered in 46 hours is also a remarkable figure. The hydrogen train rolled along the special test track in Colorado at an average speed of 61 kilometers per hour (38 miles). Mind you, a single tank of hydrogen was used for this.

As befits such a world record, however, the conditions were somewhat impractical, meaning that the distance can hardly be achieved again.

Among other things, just over 60 kilometers per hour does not correspond to the typical cruising speed, which is specified as a maximum of 160 km/h (100 mph). If the train travels slower, the air resistance is significantly lower.

The frequent stopping and starting of a regional train was also canceled here. It can be assumed, too, that the tank filling was significantly larger than it would be in practical use.

Nevertheless, the FLIRT H2 was able to demonstrate with its endurance run that hydrogen drives are suitable for long distances and non-electrified tracks.

If you want to take a ride yourself, you currently have to travel to San Bernardino County in California or soon to Calabria, Italy. According to Stadler, the respective transport companies have ordered the FLIRT H2.