Jenbach - In the future, the Zillertalbahn will be the first narrow gauge railway in the world to use hydrogen.
 
The second possible variant, namely an electric catenary operation, is thus off the table.
 
This decision was made by the Supervisory Board after a detailed review.
 
Regular operation should commence in 2022.
 
"Yes, we enter uncharted territory with the conversion of the Zillertalbahn from diesel operation to hydrogen. But whoever wants to be there in the future has to go a new way and turn a vision into reality", said the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Zillertal Public Transport Company (ZVB), Franz Hörl.
 
He is convinced that the roadmap to commissioning in 2022 is possible, from testing a prototype, up to the tendering of the railcars, and the construction of a hydrogen production plant, a lot still has to happen.
 
Shining Example
 
"The current traffic situation is no longer sustainable for our country. By taking the initiative for this visionary and internationally unique project, the Zillertal will be a shining example for the compatibility of environmentally friendly and modern mobility and sustainable tourism, not only for the Tyrol and the entire Alpine region, but for the whole world," says Governor Günther Platter to those responsible for this decision.
 
800,000 Liters of Diesel Per Year
 
So far, the Zillertalbahn has relied on diesel.
 
But the numbers show this variant is no longer promising.
 
800,000 liters of diesel, that's almost 30 tanker trucks, have been used by the Zillertalbahn each year.
 
In addition, the railway emits 2,160 tonnes of Co2 annually.
 
Jasmin Steiner - Loosely translated with Google.