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Sac Metro highlights first U.S. hydrogen switcher locomotive and new grants for additional units
Summary
Board members heard a brief report that Sierra Northern Railroad deployed the first hydrogen‑fuel‑cell switcher locomotive in the U.S.; the district said it secured a $5 million California Energy Commission grant and a subsequent $15 million CalSTA award to support additional locomotives and track work.
District staff reported on a ribbon‑cutting event for the first hydrogen‑fuel‑cell switcher locomotive in operation in the United States. Staff said Sierra Northern Railway replaced a diesel switcher engine with a hydrogen fuel cell unit that offers the same power and capability with lower noise and zero operational emissions.
The district said it helped secure a $5 million California Energy Commission grant for the first unit and that it subsequently received a $15 million award from the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) to support three additional locomotives and some track work. Staff reported each hydrogen switcher is expected to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by about three tons per year, a figure the district compared to removing roughly 2,000 passenger cars from regional roads.
The item was presented as a board informational report; no board action was taken.
