Bavarian Regional Railway (BRB) Tests Emission-Free Hydrogen Train

Interested visitors recently had the chance to experience the first hydrogen train for Bavaria at the BRB depot in Augsburg. The presentation drew significant attention, with many snapping selfies beside the train powered by its environmentally friendly drivetrain. The hydrogen train is easily recognizable from a distance due to its striking design. Inside the passenger area, it is virtually indistinguishable from a diesel or electric vehicle at first glance. The driver’s cab, however, features unique safety switches for the fuel cells and traction batteries, along with a display showing the hydrogen tank levels and battery charge status.

Pastor Bernd Udo Rochna also took a look inside the train. Together with Dean Dr. Doris Sperber-Hartmann, he blessed the train. Rochna, a former driver for Munich’s S-Bahn, had previously blessed another BRB train, the 1,000th LINT named "Augsburg," while Sperber-Hartmann had blessed a LINT named "Schmiechen." The hydrogen train now bears the name "Freistaat Bayern" (Free State of Bavaria), symbolizing the partnership among project stakeholders. The train was christened with river water from the Lech and Wertach.

Tobias Gotthardt, State Secretary in the Bavarian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, stated: “Hydrogen will play a role in the future of mobility. That’s why we, as the Ministry of Economic Affairs, are working closely with Bavarian industries to scale up the hydrogen economy. The new Siemens Mireo Plus H has a significant signaling effect, making hydrogen use visible in the daily lives of many citizens. For Bavaria’s decarbonization, hydrogen is crucial. There is no way around it if we want to move away from natural gas. With Minister Hubert Aiwanger’s hydrogen strategy, our funding programs for electrolyzers and refueling stations, and the Bavarian Energy Research Program, we are on the right path—but we need to take bold steps, especially in rail transport for both regional and long-distance services.”

The train, officially named Mireo Plus H, will replace diesel services for two and a half years at BRB. The test operation will start gradually, beginning with select trips in the Ostallgäu-Lechfeld network. Later, the service will expand to include the Ammersee-Altmühltal network. Quiet, environmentally friendly, and a viable alternative to diesel, this technology supports Bavaria's goal to phase out diesel-powered regional trains by 2040. Project partners include the Bavarian Regional Railway, the Bavarian Ministries for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, and for Housing, Construction and Transport, as well as Siemens Mobility, the manufacturer of the Mireo Plus H, and DB Energie, which provides a mobile hydrogen refueling station.

Arnulf Schuchmann, Managing Director of BRB, added: “We are eager to see how the hydrogen train performs in passenger operations. Together with our partners, we will document and evaluate all experiences to ensure the train’s success. Electrifying railway lines is not the only alternative to diesel operations. That’s why we were happy to volunteer to test the hydrogen train as another alternative to advance climate protection in regional rail transport. Our staff is well-trained, and we are all excited to welcome passengers aboard this train for the first time.”