Plan for hydrogen-powered trains to serve Teesside unveiled

The Tees Valley could be served by the UK’s first fleet of hydrogen-powered trains, with a new maintenance facility also built in the region, new documents have revealed.Arriva Rail North has developed the plan in response to the government’s commitment to removing diesel passenger trains from service by 2040.The Hydrogen Multiple Unit (HMU) trains would replace diesel trains in non-electrified areas, and could enter service by June 2021.Arriva has filed screening opinion requests with Stockton Borough Council and Cleveland and Redcar Council on two possible locations for a maintenance facility on Teesside.Tees Yard in Stockton and Lackenby have been identified as potentially suitable sites.The proposed new maintenance facility will be used to fuel, service, maintain and stable a fleet of ten hydrogen-powered trains.Works involved would include removal of redundant track, groundworks, construction of hydrogen production, storage and transfer facilities and construction of a train servicing apron.