China: The shunting locomotive is operated in Changzhou. The Chilean narrow-gauge railway operator Equipo FCAB ordered the vehicle in November 2022 for a line connecting the port of Antofagasta with mining sites in Bolivia.
The locomotive is powered by a 400 kW hydrogen fuel cell unit and 600 kW batteries. It is said to be capable of hauling trains weighing 1,000 t over a distance of about 400 km. Among other typical systems, CRRC has equipped the locomotive with a gas detection and shut-off system.
Commercial operation of the hydrogen locomotive is expected to begin in H2 2024. The delivery is a part of FCAB’s plans to completely abandon diesel locomotive traction. The operator currently has a fleet of 83 diesel locomotives from EMD and GE.
CRRC unveiled its first 700 kW hydrogen battery-powered shunting locomotive in 2021.
