Sierra Northern Railway (Sera) has completed testing a four-axle hydrogen-fuelled, zero-emissions switching locomotive.
Undertaken in West Sacramento, California, last month, the testing was backed by a $4m grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) which funded the design, integration and demonstration.
The ‘switcher’ will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells and batteries for use in rail yards to move freight cars. Sera has stated the demonstration validates the locomotive’s use for short lines – key parts of the freight network used for local deliveries.
By the end of 2027, Sera will build three more hydrogen locomotives using nearly $20m in new funding.
