Sierra Northern unveils hydrogen-powered locomotive design

Sierra Northern Railway (SERA) yesterday unveiled a new design for a hydrogen-powered switching locomotive.

The zero-emission locomotive will "prove the potential of hydrogen fuel-cell technology" and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, SERA officials said in a press release. The design, integration and demonstration is funded by a $4 million grant from the California Energy Commission.

The new locomotive will replace a Tier 0 diesel locomotive that will be retired. The new locomotive building process calls for the integration of an advanced hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen storage, advanced battery and systems control technologies, SERA officials said. Once built, the locomotive will also reduce noise and odor.

The locomotive's design also visually represents its environmental benefits, with blue representing hydrogen power and green representing "California’s green future," said SERA President Kennan Beard III.

Sierra Northern Railway operates 75 miles of track in Northern California and 30 miles in Southern California.