Interested in riding a hydrogen-fueled train? It will be a reality this summer. As the travel industry tries to build a more sustainable future to protect the planet, this zero-emission passenger train will run between Québec and Baie-Saint-Paul in Canada.
This will make Québec the first jurisdiction in North America to operate a zero-emission passenger train powered by green hydrogen.
The Coradia iLint train will run along the St. Lawrence River as it travels from Montmorency Falls station in Québec to the city of Baie-St-Paul, resting for about a four-hour layover (Baie-St-Paul has the most art galleries per capita in Canada!), and then back to the Chute Montmorency station. The train passes through seven coastal towns, and its hydrogen will be produced by Harnois Énergies in Québec City. Alstom, a French company that manufactures rolling stock worldwide, is partnering with the government of Québec, Réseau Charlevoix, Chemin de fer Charlevoix, Harnois Énergies and HTEC, to showcase this new technology.
The Parc de la Chute-Montmorency is a wonderful historic site with a 272-foot waterfall (taller than Niagara Falls but not as wide) and a funitel, similar to a gondola, that runs up to an observation deck—all this just 15 minutes from Old Québec. You can also book the train with a tour guide and a wine tasting and samples of cheese, dry sausage and other spirits (and a free tote bag!) during the stopover in Baie-St-Paul.
This is a huge step forward in experimenting with the train with passengers on board to look at how best to proceed with hydrogen propulsion technology and moving into the North American market. Of course, you’re wondering, when can you ride it? Starting June 17, the Coradia iLint will run from Wednesdays to Saturdays until September 30.