ANTOFAGASTA Railway (FCAB) of Chile has completed what it says is the first operational deployment in Latin America of a locomotive powered by green hydrogen.
The inaugural run took place on November 20, with the locomotive running from FCAB’s Patio Norte yard to the Antofagasta International Terminal (ATI), with representatives from government, industry and the mining sector in attendance.
FCAB general manager, David Fernández, described the event as “a new era” for the 1000mm-gauge freight railway that operates 700km of lines in northern Chile. Iván Arriagada, CEO of mining company Antofagasta which owns FCAB, highlighted that the project directly supports the company’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2030.
Built by Ahtech CRRC Qishuyan, the locomotive combines hydrogen fuel cells with batteries for energy storage. It has been developed specifically to withstand the harsh operating environment in northern Chile, characterised by extreme UV exposure, salt-laden air, steep gradients and desert conditions.
The locomotive has a high-capacity 1MW battery and is fuelled by hydrogen at a pressure of 35MPa. Its lightweight design means that it is around 30 tonnes lighter when compared with previous hydrogen locomotives.
The project is supported by a dedicated hydrogen refuelling station at Patio Norte. The facility includes high-pressure dispensing systems and integrated electric charging and has been developed to meet strict operational safety and reliability requirements.
The refuelling station enables FCAB to refuel and recharge the locomotive within standard operating cycles and forms the backbone of the company’s plan to gradually expand hydrogen traction across specific corridors.
