British Rail Class 600
| Industry | Rail transport, Hydrogen fuel technology |
|---|---|
| Founded | May 2018 |
| Founder | Alstom, Eversholt Rail Group |
| Headquarters | Widnes , United Kingdom |
| Products | Hydrogen fuel cell train conversions (planned) |
History
In May 2018, Alstom together with Eversholt Rail Group revealed intentions to transform surplus Class 321 electric multiple units into prototypes powered by hydrogen fuel cells. This initiative was promoted as the industry's first major response to the UK government's goal of eliminating diesel trains by 2040. The conversion technology drew upon Alstom’s Coradia iLint hydrogen train, which had been undergoing trials in Germany since 2017.
The engineering analysis and conceptual design for the Breeze project were made public in January 2019. Alstom and Eversholt formulated business models and detailed strategies for the conversion process, service introduction, and development of refuelling infrastructure. The modifications were planned to take place at Alstom’s Widnes facility, targeting a service launch from 2022 onwards. To fit the hydrogen storage systems, units would be reduced from four cars to three, while preserving passenger capacity equivalent to that of a two-car diesel multiple unit.
In February 2020, Arriva Rail North ('Northern') presented plans for operating around a dozen Breeze trains on a dedicated network centered around Middlesbrough, which is recognized as a UK hydrogen production center. Proposed routes included services from Middlesbrough to Nunthorpe, Bishop Auckland, and Saltburn, with potential extensions toward Whitby and Newcastle via Hartlepool and Sunderland. A depot for maintenance and refuelling was also proposed near Middlesbrough. Northern identified these short-distance, non-electrified lines as particularly suited for hydrogen-powered trains, noting that the limited range of Breeze units would necessitate nightly refuelling.
By July 2020, Alstom and Eversholt committed an additional £1 million investment to progress towards readiness for operation by 2024 and announced that Breeze units would carry the Class 600 designation. Alstom aimed to develop its Widnes Transport Technology Centre into a global hub for hydrogen train conversions, projecting the creation of over 200 skilled positions.
The initial Class 321 unit chosen for conversion was 321448, which had previously served as a prototype during Eversholt’s Renatus refurbishment program before being superseded by unit 321437.
In November 2021, Alstom and Eversholt formalized a memorandum of understanding to design a new fleet of ten three-car hydrogen multiple units based on Alstom’s Aventra EMU platform acquired from Bombardier Transportation. They highlighted insights gained from the Breeze project as critical in shaping plans for the hydrogen Aventra. Alstom stressed the growing market demand for newly built hydrogen trains and noted that the limited supply of suitable units for conversion made new constructions essential. The Aventra platform provides enhanced onboard technology, integrated diagnostics, and reduced maintenance requirements; however, conversions remain an option.
The Breeze initiative was discontinued in early 2022; unit 321448 was scrapped without undergoing conversion.
See also
- British Rail Class 799 HydroFlex – a project converting Class 319 electric multiple units to incorporate hydrogen fuel capability