Stadler, a leading innovator in railway technology, proudly announces that its groundbreaking Flirt H2 hydrogen fuel cell train has made history by achieving a remarkable feat recognized by the Guinness World Records. The Flirt H2 has entered the annals of record-breaking achievements for completing an extraordinary journey spanning 1,741.7 miles, setting a new standard for sustainable transportation.
The unveiling of the Flirt H2 took place at InnoTrans 2022 in Berlin, marking a pivotal moment in the advancement of eco-friendly rail travel. Stadler’s dedicated team of engineers has meticulously crafted the Flirt H2, incorporating innovative solutions to seamlessly integrate fuel cells and hydrogen storage systems into the modern Flirt commuter train product line. Extensive testing, initially conducted in Switzerland, culminated in rigorous trials on a specialized test track in Colorado, USA, showcasing the train’s exceptional performance capabilities.
Dr. Ansgar Brockmeyer, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Stadler, lauded the monumental achievement, stating, “This world record establishes the ideal performance range of our hydrogen version of the Flirt Electric Multiple Unit, the Flirt H2. This is a monumental achievement from our entire team, and we are very proud to hold another record title.”
The record-breaking journey commenced on March 20, as the Flirt H2 embarked on its inaugural laps around the test track. A dedicated team of engineers from Stadler and ENSCO undertook the challenge, operating the vehicle in shifts throughout the night and into the following day. The successful attempt culminated at 5:23 p.m. (MST) on March 22, with the train traversing an impressive distance of 1,741.7 miles over a duration exceeding 46 hours on a single tank filling. The record-setting endeavor took place at the ENSCO test center in Pueblo, Colorado, the very site where the vehicle had undergone rigorous type testing procedures.
Stadler emphasized the meticulous documentation of the entire process, ensuring transparency and precision in establishing irrefutable evidence of the record-breaking achievement. Detailed records, meticulously maintained before, during, and after the journey, underscored the train’s remarkable performance and endurance.
This historic accomplishment follows Stadler’s previous record-setting achievement in December 2021 when the Flirt Akku, the battery-powered Flirt model, set a world record for the longest journey with a battery multiple unit in pure battery mode, covering 224 kilometers (139 miles) in Germany.
