Caltrans yesterday said it signed an $80m contract with Stadler Rail, Inc. to deliver the first zero-emission, hydrogen intercity passenger trains in North America.
The vehicles will be based on Stadler’s successful Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train (FLIRT) concept, extending work done with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority to develop self-powered multiple-unit trains using zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells without the need of a separate locomotive.
The purchase is funded through Governor Gavin Newsom’s $10bn, multiyear zero-emission vehicle package, which included $407m for the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) to demonstrate and purchase or lease state-of-the-art clean bus and rail equipment and infrastructure.
The contract includes a base order of $80 million for the first four trainsets with options for up to 25 additional trainsets that can be used throughout California. While the base order of trains is expected to primarily operate between Merced and Sacramento on the expanded San Joaquin and Altamont Corridor Express Valley Rail services that will also connect with the early high-speed rail service between Merced and Bakersfield, the trains will also be demonstrated on corridors throughout the state in coordination with intercity and regional rail partners.
