Alstom has unveiled its zero-emission train at InnoTrans, the railway industry’s largest trade fair, in Berlin, Germany.

Despite numerous electrification projects in several countries, a significant part of Europe’s rail network will remain non-electrified in the long term. In many countries, the number of diesel trains in circulation is still high – more than 4,000 cars in Germany, for instance.

Coradia iLint is a new carbon dioxide (CO2)-emission-free regional train and alternative to diesel power. It is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, its only emission being steam and condensed water while operating with a low level of noise, Alstom said.

Alstom is among the first railway manufacturers in the world to develop a passenger train based on such a technology. To make the deployment of the Coradia iLint as simple as possible for operators, Alstom offers a complete package, consisting of the train and maintenance, as well as  the whole hydrogen infrastructure thanks to help from partners.

This launch follows the letters-of-Intent signed in 2014 with the German Landers of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, and the Public Transportation Authorities of Hesse for the use of a new generation of emission-free train equipped with fuel cell drive.

“Alstom is proud to launch a breakthrough innovation in the field of clean transportation which will complete its Coradia range of regional trains. It shows our ability to work in close collaboration with our customers and develop a train in only two years,” declared Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Alstom chairman and CEO.

Alstom’s Coradia range of modular regional trains has a proven service track record spanning more than 16 years. Over 2,400 trains have been sold around the world and demonstrate a high availability rate. Coradia iLint is based on the service-proven diesel train Coradia Lint 54. It will be manufactured in Salzgitter, Alstom’s largest site.

In addition, at the Alstom booth, visitors can embark on a journey to discover how the company masters all phases of its customers’ railway projects – designing, building, operating and maintaining and renewing – through tangible examples.

The company will, for instance, demonstrate the modularity of its Avelia high-speed range through a hands-on configurator. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience a control centre, see how an AGV is repaired, and discover how train renovation works. - TradeArabia News Service