PESA, a Bydgoszcz-based rolling stock manufacturer, made the world premiere of its hydrogen shunting locomotive at the TRAKO fair in 2021. The first Polish fuel cell locomotive is a modernisation of the Class SM42 locomotive, which operates in large numbers across Poland. Its new Class is 6Dn.
After its last display at Rail Business Days in Ostrava in Czechia, it was announced by UTK that it now has a certificate to start operational tests in Polish railways.
The four-axle locomotive has been equipped with two hydrogen cells with a total capacity of 170 kW, responsible for generating energy. Through the traction battery, they power four asynchronous traction motors with a power of 4x180kW, reaching a maximum speed of 90 km/h. Hydrogen is taken from tanks with a total capacity of 175 kg. One refueling allows for 24-hour shunting of the locomotive.
The locomotive has also been equipped with an autonomous driving system, enabling the driver to control the vehicle by radio one-handed while setting up the trains, and anti-collision system.
PESA invited many suppliers of modern technologies into the locomotive development, such as ABB, Ballard, Worthington, Luccini, Rawag, TSA and CADD.
Its first customer, PKN Orlen, intended to operate it in the Płock refinery. It will also be the partner for hydrogen supply and delivery of refuelling stations. Orlen KolTrans will be the operator.
The experience gained during the development of the shunting locomotive will be utilised in another hydrogen project, in which PESA develops hydrogen and electric multiple units (HEMU) based on its Regio160 platform. It would use the overhead line for powering the train in electrified and hydrogen power on non-electrified lines. According to PESA, several regions have already expressed interest in such a train.
