Hydrogen Trains in the US: Planning and Safety in the Shift to Clean Rail

Last month, the APTA Rail Conference examined the progress in deploying hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) trains in the US, drawing on insights from real-world implementation.

A panel discussion titled “Hydrogen Trainsets and Locomotives: Infrastructure Readiness and Planning Considerations” brought together representatives from Jacobs, HDR, Ricardo LLC, and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA). Moderator Jackson Xue, Trainset Engineer at Ricardo LLC opened the discussion by acknowledging the growing interest in hydrogen propulsion and questioning what it takes to prepare for this technology.

Infrastructure Alignment

Currently, most transit facilities are designed around diesel, and the planning assumptions that work for combustion engines therefore need to be re-evaluated before hydrogen can be safely implemented.

Indeed, Martin Schroeder, Contract Manager at Jacobs, emphasised that while hydrogen fuel cell technology is not inherently new, the integration of hydrogen into passenger rail systems requires new thinking, especially in infrastructure and policy.

Schroeder said:

You have to think about your tunnels, maintenance facilities, and the logistics of where and how you fuel these vehicles. Hydrogen behaves differently—its flamable, invisible, its heat release is intense, and its storage demands specific handling. It’s not just drop-in tech.

What’s more, Marcin Taraszkiewicz, Rail & Transit Vehicle Technology Lead at HDR, noted that the hydrogen vehicles deployed in the US are largely foreign-built platforms adapted for the North American market. For example, Stadler’s FLIRT H2 is proven in Europe, but bringing it to the US means adapting to different grades, routes, and regulations.

SBCTA’s Hydrogen Train

The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is leading the way with the first compliant hydrogen-powered passenger train project in the US. Its FLIRT H2 multiple unit is expected to commence service in August 2025.

To support these operations, the agency is also constructing a dedicated maintenance and hydrogen refueling facility.