Taunusbahn: Diesel replaces hydrogen again after series of breakdowns

Since today, Friday, 16 diesel-powered rental vehicles have been running on the Taunusbahn again. They will temporarily serve as an alternative to the inadequate hydrogen trains that have been running there since December 2022. This means that the timetable on the RB15 line between Bad Homburg and Brandoberndorf can be "fully operated again", according to the responsible Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV).

According to RMV, the manufacturer Alstom must use the reduced demand for hydrogen trains "to carry out a general overhaul of the fault-prone technical components of the hydrogen trains". The vehicles need to be "optimized for long-term reliable operation". Verbund had already spoken early on of a "brilliant false start" for the emission-free Coradia iLint 54 ordered from Alstom. The Hessian state association of Pro Bahn expressed similar sentiments. In mid-2023, an RMV spokesperson explained that the trains with the new technology were now proving themselves in daily use after initial technical problems. However, there were still repeated breakdowns, emergency timetables and rail replacement services.

Alstom relies on new fuel cells

The improvements are to be carried out in a workshop in Frankfurt-Griesheim and will take until 2026, reports the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Before that, new developments and longer test phases will be necessary, according to Alstom. The main shortcomings of the hydrogen trains are that the fuel cells only work to a limited extent. Now the trains are getting a new, significantly improved generation. This will enable stable and reliable operation. RMV referred to the contractual obligations of the French company.

According to the association, the Lint41 diesel trains that have now been procured for the Taunusbahn were operating in two networks in northern Germany until mid-December. According to RMV, it borrowed them from Deutsche Bahn after the latter had "made them fit for operation in the Taunus". However, the RB12 line (Königstein – Frankfurt) will continue to be operated with hydrogen trains. Diesel trains have already been running between Friedberg and Friedrichsdorf (RB 16) for some time as a replacement. From 2030 onwards, the RMF no longer wants to procure any new diesel-powered trains. Climate-friendly alternatives such as hydrogen or battery drives are needed.

(nen)