British Rail Class 600
The British Rail Class 600 Breeze is a proposed class of hydrogen fuel powered multiple unit to be built using the bodyshell of a Class 321 electric multiple unit.
British Rail Class 600 Breeze | |
---|---|
The Class 600s will use the bodyshells of Class 321s | |
Manufacturer | British Rail Engineering Limited as Class 321s Alstom as Class 600s |
Built at | Holgate Road carriage works as Class 321s Widnes as Class 600s |
Family name | BR Second Generation (Mark 3) |
Formation | 3 carriages |
Specifications | |
Car body construction | Steel |
Car length | 19.95 m (65 ft 5 in) |
Width | 2.82 m (9 ft 3 in) |
Height | 3.78 m (12 ft 5 in) |
Engine type | Hydrogen fuel cell |
Coupling system | Tightlock |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
History
In May 2018, Alstom and Eversholt Rail Group announced they planned to convert some withdrawn Abellio Greater Anglia Class 321s to hydrogen multiple units.[1] In January 2019, the Breeze concept was unveiled with the work to be performed at Alstom's Widnes facility.[2][3][4]
Alstom will draw on its experience with the Alstom Coradia iLint, the world's first hydrogen production train.[5][6]
In July 2020, Eversholt Rail and Alstom confirmed that the trains, previously referred to as just "breeze" units, would be designated Class 600, with the first converted units targeted to enter service in 2024.[6][7]
References
- Alstom and Eversholt plan fuel cell EMUs Railway Gazette International 15 May 2018
- Breeze UK hydrogen multiple-unit proposal unveiled Railway Gazette International 7 January 2019
- Hydrogen-powered trains planned for UK from 2021 Rail issue 870 16 January 2019
- Alstom and Eversholt unveil Breeze Hydrogen unit Today's Railways UK issue 207 March 2019 page 8
- Eversholt Rail and Alstom to invest £1m in hydrogen trains International Railway Journal 22 July 2020
- Alstom Breeze hydrogen train designated Class 600 Railway Gazette International 22 July 2020
- "Breeze hydrogen Class 600". www.keymodernrailways.com. Retrieved 2020-07-24.