'Hydroflex' train

Porterbrook's 'Hydroflex' train is bi-mode, meaning it can be powered by electricity made from hydrogen or take electricity from overhead cables.

In September 2018, Porterbrook announced it would develop a hydrogen fuel cell demonstrator in partnership with the University of Birmingham's Centre for Railway Research & Education. In December 2018, Porterbrook procured an FCveloCity fuel cell unit from Ballard Power Systems.^[1]

The unit was converted from Class 319 EMU 319001 that had last been used by Govia Thameslink Railway.^[2][3][4] It was unveiled on 20 June 2019.^[5][6][7]

In June 2019, it was announced that approval for mainline testing of the unit (branded as HydroFLEX) had been granted after a period of demonstration at Rail Live 2019.^[8]