A hydrogen-powered transfer locomotive instead of diesel: a world-first experiment

 

A transfer and haulage locomotive 

A hydrogen-powered transfer locomotive instead of diesel: a world-first experiment

A transfer and handling locomotive has undergone a unique experiment after converting its engine to run on hydrogen instead of diesel. This aims to reduce emissions from industrial processes, especially at large sites. These locomotives resemble traction vehicles, and their general purpose is to transport raw materials or products within factories or production networks, helping with logistical tasks and facilitating the movement of goods.

Alstom, the French leader in sustainable transportation solutions, stated that the clean-fuel-powered locomotive completed its first trip on September 19, 2025. These locomotives could be widely deployed if the world's first trial is successful, and diesel engines are converted to hydrogen, thus contributing to the climate goals of major industrialized countries.

World's First Hydrogen-Powered Conversion Locomotive Test

A conversion locomotive has entered testing at a steel plant in Germany, after its engine was modified to run on hydrogen instead of diesel. A steel plant belonging to the Salzgitter Group, one of Europe's largest industrial companies, was selected to test the locomotive until next October.

Hydrogen-Powered Conversion Locomotive: World's First Test

This step aims to evaluate the feasibility of using hydrogen-powered locomotives daily and to consider the ongoing positive value of the transition away from diesel. By analyzing the results recorded throughout the trial period, the developers aim to gain a clear vision for integrating conversion locomotives into low-carbon production, to determine the feasibility of implementing and deploying the technology.

Alstom plans to re-operate the locomotive with a diesel engine after the trial period, according to a statement on the company's website. Several companies and entities are participating in this experiment, including Alstom of France, VPS, a subsidiary of the Salzgitter steel group, the WTZ Research Institute for Engine Development, the Braunschweig University of Technology, and the Fraunhofer Institute.

Emission Reduction

The success of the experiment using a shunting and traction locomotive in a German steel mill could have positive consequences, especially since the European industrial sector records high diesel consumption. To achieve emissions reduction goals, major industrial companies—in the Old Continent in general, and Germany, the largest European economy in particular—need to abandon diesel and seek alternatives.

VPS, a subsidiary of the Salzburger Group, alone uses 42 shunt locomotives to transport ores, iron, and coal within its plants. Powering these locomotives with hydrogen can avoid massive amounts of emissions. This doesn't apply to the steel group alone; German factories and companies have 1,000 diesel locomotives, and the entire Old Continent has 4,000, according to Fuel Sales Works.

The locomotives emit massive amounts of carbon dioxide, estimated at around 150 tons per year each. Given this large number, we find that over their operational lifespan of 50 to 70 years, they can cause emissions to skyrocket. By contrast, hydrogen-powered locomotives can prevent the release of 3,000 tons of carbon dioxide over the remaining 15 to 20 years of their operational lifespan after they replace diesel.

Engine Modification

The hydrogen locomotive pilot project is significant, as it relies on modifying the engines of locomotives to replace diesel. François Muller, Alstom's Vice President of Services for Central and Northern Europe, noted that customers can switch to hydrogen for their locomotive engines without having to scrap their existing locomotive fleet. He added that with the long operational lifespan of locomotives transporting goods and products within factories, replacing engine fuel becomes a more suitable option than eliminating the units entirely.

This appears to be what the Salzgitter Group has realized, as it has invested billions in the Salcus project to produce low-emission steel by 2033. The group is adopting a program to gradually reduce industrial emissions from its factories over the coming years. This is not limited to conversion and locomotives alone, but will also extend to iron production furnaces, with the transition from gas to hydrogen.