The first ride of the “greenest train in the world” in North America

120 people, but also some mayors and dignitaries, boarded this very ceremonial first flight.

Réseau Charlevoix, which operates Train de Charlevoix on private rail, hopes to attract new clients focused on the environment and agritourism.

Before the train left on Saturday morning at about 9:30 am, General Manager Nancy Bailey was pleased to see passengers finally enjoy this type of train for the first time in North America. We are now the only tourist train in Quebec, so to be able to get on this train, to Hydrogen, we are very happyas you say.

The landscape, between sea and mountains, is usually a sight for passengers. This summer it will rival the train itself, which offers a new experience for those who board, according to Ms. Bailey.

” They are completely different clients. They really come for the rolling stock. »

Nancy Bailey, Executive Director of Réseau Charlevoix.

Photo: Radio-Canada/Louis-Philippe Arsenault

One of the passengers, feverish at the time of departure, gave weight to Nancy Bailey’s words. by saying Obsessed trainingShe explained to Radio Canada that being on this train allowed her to realize A dream, this train is special and unique in the world!

1000 km on green hydrogen

In about two hours, the trolleys carry passengers for the 90 kilometers separating Quebec from Baie-Saint-Paul. According to Alstom, this type of train, which has been tested for a few years in Europe in particular, can cover much longer distances.

Inside the Coradia iLint train.

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Photo: Radio-Canada/Louis-Philippe Arsenault

We are now able to move completely independently over thousands of kilometresEric Rondeau, director of Alstom’s Americas Center for Innovation, says.

The company claims that Coradia iLint was able to travel in Record distance of 1,175 kilometers with one tank of hydrogen in September 2022.

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The hydrogen train is propelled by an electric traction system using energy produced by fuel cells. The energy produced is stored in batteries.

Photo: Technical sheet provided by Alstom

It is basically an electric trainMr. Rondo recalls. To produce electricity, we supply hydrogen that is produced here, in Quebec, thanks to Harnois Énergies.

Eric Rondo, Director, Alstom Center for Innovation.

Photo: Radio-Canada/Louis-Philippe Arsenault

Quebec is the first place in North America where passengers can take a hydrogen train. The Coradia iLint has been tested since 2018 in Europe and passenger operation in Germany begins in 2022.

With information from Louis Philippe Arsenault