Informed Sources
DP3 EXPLORES POTENTIAL
■ Two Deltics re-engineered
■ Battery and fuel cell power replace diesel
■ Ranges compared
All the traction decarbonisation studies to date have included little tables comparing the suitability of the available options for replacing diesel traction. The stock phrase is that only electrification can provide the power needed for ‘long-distance high-speed services and freight’.
Fuel cell traction can handle 100mph passenger trains with a worthwhile range – up to 400 miles. Batteries are considered suitable for shorter distance shuttle services.But where do electrification and alternative traction meet?
For example, in Canada, a proposal for Toronto’s GO Transit commuter service to use hydrogen power, rather than electrify an expanded network, has just been binned.The study included conceptual designs for a locomotive to replace the existing diesel traction hauling the current fleet of unpowered bi-level coaches. Current traction is the 4,000hp MP40PH.
LOCOMOTIVE POTENTIAL?
So, someone had thought a 4,000hp hydrogen fuel cell locomotive was feasible. That got my interest.But how to explore the limits of alternative traction in a UK context?
With my English Electric Tractio…
