6Dn

 

 

Prototype 6Dn-001 (converted SM42-1129), photographed at the TRAKO 2021 fair in Gdańsk on September 24, 2021, by Rafał Żytyński (postcard from my collection).

 

 

 

 

 

Type 6Dn, or SM42-6Dn, is not a diesel locomotive. In fact, it is not powered by any internal combustion engine. It has, however, been included in this section, as it has been developed on the basis of well-known switcher. 6Dn is the first locomotive in Poland powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

Development of fuel cells for propulsion of motor cars, trucks, rail vehicles and airplanes has been boosted by the need to reduce emission of greenhouse gases, primarily of carbon dioxide. Generation of hydrogen is also a convenient way to utilize excess energy from renewable (and unpredictable) sources, such as wind and solar power. First experimental hydrogen-powered rail vehicles were designed and built in early 2000s; development has been rapid and commercially viable technologies began to emerge about twenty years later. The term ‘Hydrail’ has been coined for all rail vehicles that utilize hydrogen fuel.

PESA company of Bydgoszcz decided to join the race in 2019, when a special team was formed. First aim was to design and build a hydrogen-powered switcher and, for this purpose, SM42-1129 (Fablok 10514/1990) was purchased from PKP Cargo in September 2020. Conversion took one year and the vehicle was displayed at the TRAKO 2021 fair in Gdańsk in September 2021, attracting much attention. Virtually all that was retained from old SM42 was frame. The body was completely redesigned, so 6Dn does not resemble its predecessor at all. Power is provided by two fuel cells rated at 85 kW each, purchased from Canadian Ballard Power Systems company. Electricity is supplied to a battery which in turn feeds four 180 kW traction motors. Hydrogen is stored in tanks at 350 MPa; according to the manufacturer, 175 kg of fuel is sufficient for a full day operation as a switcher.

Immediately after TRAKO 2021 the locomotive, now numbered 6Dn-001, was sold to Orlen KolTrans for service tests. UTK (Urząd Transportu Kolejowego – Office of Rail Transport) certificate was issued in June 2023. In July the locomotive was formally transferred to Lotos Kolej, which in the meantime became an Orlen subsidiary. As the next step, PESA intends to develop a hydrogen-powered passenger trainset, which is scheduled to run in 2025. Commercial implementation of rail vehicles running on hydrogen fuel may be hampered by their price, which is currently significantly higher than their ‘conventional’ counterparts. This, however, is expected to change in near future.

 

 

Main technical data

 

No.

Parameter

Unit

Value

1.

Years of manufacture

-

2021

2.

Total built / used in Poland

-

1 / 11)

3.

Axle arrangement

-

Bo’Bo’

4.

Transmission type

-

electric

5.

Design maximum speed

km/h

90

6.

Prime mover type

-

four fuel cells

7.

Engine rating

kW/hp

2 ´ 85/116

8.

Bore ´ stroke

mm ´ mm

-

9.

Number of cylinders

-

-

10.

Number of electric engines

-

4

11.

Rated output of electric engines

kW

4 ´ 180

12.

Main reduction gear ratio

-

 

13.

Diameter of drivers

mm

1100

14.

Total weight

kg

70 000

15.

Axle load

T

17.5

16.

Axle base

mm

10 100

17.

Overall length

mm

 

18.

Maximum width

mm

 

19.

Train heating

-

-

20.

Brake type

-

 

 

1)      SM42 conversion.

 

References and acknowledgments

 

-       www.pesa.pl;

-       www.kolejowaklatka.org (website by Marek Dąbrowski);

-       www.ilostan.forumkolejowe.pl.