Canada: Coupled to a mainline locomotive, a tender from the US company HGmotive is being tested on the Canadian operator’s tracks.
This is the third diesel locomotive that CPKC has converted to hydrogen traction. Although its specifications are not disclosed, it is said that the tender and refuelling system meet the safety requirements of the Canadian and US Departments of Transportation. In addition to the tender being tested, HGmotive is building another tender with a larger capacity, which will be tested and commissioned in the middle of 2025.
Between 2021 and 2023, CPKC converted three of its diesel locomotives to hydrogen, replacing the diesel engines with batteries and Ballard fuel cells. The first two are currently operating at a freight terminal in Calgary.
There are other companies developing hydrogen locomotives and tenders in North America. In the spring of 2023, Wabtec announced the development of a hydrogen mainline locomotive and a tender.
