Sierra Northern holds first test for hydrogen-fuel switcher (with video)

DENVER — Sierra Northern Railway conducted a successful initial test of its first hydrogen locomotive, a four-axle switcher, in late March, the company announced today (April 8) at the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association conference.

The initial testing took place March 27 in West Sacramento, Calif.

“This accomplishment marks another major milestone in Sierra’s mission to bring hydrogen-powered, zero-emission switcher locomotives within commercial reach for the shortline industry, both in California and around the world,” Sierra Northern President Kennan H. Beard III said in a press release. “Sierra’s successful test proves that short lines can retire pre-Tier 0 to Tier 4 diesel locomotives and replace them … using our advanced hydrogen powered units.”

The pilot project was funded through a $4 million grant for design, integration, and demonstration of the locomotive from the California Energy Commission (and administered through GTI Energy.

The company says the locomotive will facilitate improvement of air quality, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and odors. A diesel switcher uses an average of approximately 50,000 gallons of fuel per year, creating the potential for reduction of more than 12 million gallons of diesel per year in California — the approximate equivalent of the fuel used by 20,000 light-duty vehicles.

Also funding the project are the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality District, SoCalGas, and the Low Carbon Resource Initiative. Other partners include GTI Energy, Velocity Strategies, Railpower Tech, WHA International, OptiFuel Systems, Ballard Power Systems, UC Riverside, and Valley Vision.

The Sierra Northern has already begun work on four additional hydrogen-fueled locomotives, an approximately $19.5 million project receiving funding from State of California, California State Transportation Agency, and Caltrans’ Port and Freight Infrastructure Project, through a public-private partnership with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District. Testing will be conducted at Sierra’s West Sacramento yard, and is to be completed by the end of 2027.