Siemens Mobility has started production of trains powered by hydrogen for operation on the Südostbayernbahn network in Germany.

The German state of Bavaria has ordered three two-car Mireo Plus H trains to replace diesel trains currently operating from the network’s Mühldorf hub. Siemens Mobility has also been awarded a service contract for the trains’ hydrogen supply system.

The new trains will be fitted with the European Train Control System (ETCS) for maximum operational safety and efficiency; they are quieter than their diesel predecessors and produce significantly fewer CO2 emissions and exhaust gases.

Features of the new trains include nine spaces for bicycles, special high-frequency-permeable windows for improved mobile phone reception, and a low-floor design to improve access to the carriages.

The new trains are expected to start operating in late 2026 on the 32.3 kilometres long non-electrified line serving eight stations between Mühldorf (Upper Bavaria), Tüßling, and Burghausen.

Hydrogen will be produced at an electrolysis plant powered by 100-per-cent green electricity, being built by Deutsche Bahn (DB) in Mühldorf.

The Mireo Plus H trains to be supplied to Südostbayernbahn are based on Siemens Mobility’s regional train platform, which can be powered by overhead electric lines, batteries, or hydrogen.

They have a roof-mounted fuel cell and lithium-ion batteries installed beneath the car floor, and electric drive power of 1.7 MW will enable the trains to accelerate up to 1.1 m/s2 with a maximum speed of 140 km/h and a range of up to 1,200 kilometres.

Hydrogen trains are environmentally friendly, as they only emit water vapour and no harmful emissions such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen oxides, and are also flexible, as they can operate on non-electrified railway lines by converting onboard into electrical energy using on-board fuel cells, which don’t require overhead electric lines or other power sources. They are also much quieter than conventional diesel trains, as they are electrically powered and produce less mechanical noise.

Cornelia Würtz, Managing Director of DB RegioNetz Verkehrs Gmbh, commented that hydrogen trains are an important building block for DB on its path to achieving climate neutrality, and by introducing the Mireo Plus H, it is helping drive the climate-friendly rail transport transition at Südostbayernbahn.

Siemens Mobility has developed a hydrogen storage tank trailer for fast mobile refuelling, and also supplied two-car Mireo Plus H trains to the German operator Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn

“We are proud to be delivering Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains to Deutsche Bahn and thus enabling emission-free mobility in our home region. Our hydrogen trains feature mature technology, high energy efficiency, strong drive power, long operating range, and low noise levels.”

Andre Rodenbeck, CEO Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility