credit – Stadler, released
Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network
This Sleek New LA Commuter Train Is Pollution-Free
In Los Angeles County, a new, low-emissions commuter train is powering itself with hydrogen fuel cells to combat local and global smog.
Liquid or gaseous hydrogen is considered the best green alternative to the heavy fuels that power society’s largest machines, and this ZEMU train is just a few months away from starting routine service from San Bernadino and Redlands to LA proper.
ZEMU stands for zero-emissions multiple units and possesses several advantages over other decarbonized rail transport. Electric trains recharge via overhead powerlines, which require millions in funding to install and maintain and aren’t practical for long distances.
“The reality is it can be used anywhere existing rail happens now,” says Tim Watkins, chief of legislative and public affairs at the San Bernardino County Transit Authority, the agency behind the project. “It doesn’t require a new capital investment into infrastructure.”
Manufactured by the Swiss company Stadler, ZEMU trains take on hydrogen fuel split into hydrogen molecules, generating energy that recharges an electric battery that powers the train’s motors. The battery is also recharged by breaking, and the only emission of any sort is water vapor.
“I think it’s going to enable a lot of places to decarbonize without having to make costly investments in infrastructure,” Watkins told Fast Company Magazine.
The trains are currently undergoing the final testing phase on local tracks, and service is slated to begin in early 2025. At the moment, they use hydrogen created via fossil fuels, so while the localized emissions are still zero, the trains still have a carbon footprint.
Green hydrogen, made using renewable energy sources, is expected to be available in the not-too-distant future. However, as Adele Peters at Fast Company details, even if the trains lead to CO2 entering the atmosphere, San Bernadino needs zero-emissions transport quickly.
A leading air quality index survey recently gave the San Bernadino area an ‘F’ grade for air quality. The city suffers from more days of smog than almost any other city in America.
The good news in this report is that hydrogen fuel cell practicality is now a reality. Today’s JohnKu talks about exploring alternatives. I hope you have a terrific weekend.
Exploration by John W. Howell © 2024
Alternatives thrive,
When out of the box thinkers . . .
Dare to innovate.
Fiction Favorites 
This is fantastic news! I’m so glad they can do this and it releases nothing but water vapor into the air. Happy FriYAY!
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Thank you, Kymber. Happy Fri-Yay to you.
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This is a big deal since infrastructure talk is always grounds for not doing anything at all. Good stuff, Boss. As per.
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Thank you, Pilgrim. Would like to see more of this.
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I makes sense that they are building before the carbon free option is available. It kind of hinges upon when and if it will become available, but forward thinking people tend to bring us big things.
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The fact that the trains are ready now should be enough to proceed.Thanks, Craig.
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Be nice to get those around here.
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We could use them in Texas too.
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This is incredibly exciting!
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It is for sure. Thanks, Annette.
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Sounds like we all can benefit from those.
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I agree. Austin is now planning for light rail. I wonder if they have looked into these trains?
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Good news! Using hydrogen power instead of internal combustion will help clean up the smog.
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It certainly will, Tim. We all should be glad for that. Thanks.😊
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I’m all for anything that causes less pollution. Have a great weekend, John!
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Thak you, Teri. Have a super weekend as well.
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Wonderful news, John! Thank you for sharing this hopeful development. If implemented widely, what a difference this will make. 🌞
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I always wonder where these great ideas go. I hope they are being expanded. Thanks, Gwen.
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Fantastic news, John. I hope this spreads everywhere. I take it this is not the billion dollar+ boondoggle that is supposed to run between LA and SF?
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No that boondoggle is still being hatched.
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Wonderful news, John, and your JohnKu is PERFECT!! Thanks for sharing, and have a great day! 😊😊😊
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Thank you, Marcia. I hope your weekend is peaceful.
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And it’s pretty, too!! Nicely done on the JohnKu, and kudos to the innovators among us!
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I agree, Debbie. Many kudos to them. 😁
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Wow, this is so cool to know that 0 emissions are being released John!!! So awesome❣️👏
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I heard recently that we’ll soon have hydrogen powered vehicles. This may be a forerunner. Thanks for sharing, John!
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Whoa, that’s a very cool development! Hurrah for innovation.
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Hydrogen fuel cell technology sounds so promising, John. Why not power office buildings, homes, trucks, cars one day? It’s exciting that this ZEMU train is so close to being operational! Thanks for sharing!
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Very, very promising!
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That is very interesting good news that I did not know
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Exciting advancements and what a difference this will make. 👍🏻
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I’m with you in this belief. 😊
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Thanks John! I love your Friday good news reads. 👍🏻
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Thank you, Michele. 😁
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Cheers to the folks in San Bernardino County who made this project happen. It can serve as a great example for others to follow in using alternatives to fossil fuels. And cheers to you, John, for highlighting these kinds of projects 🙂
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Thank you, Dave. It is important to keep the positive news in the forefront.
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Wonderful!
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Another great Fri-yay. Thanks John!
I love trains. Train travel has a huge future, because of new innovations like this.
Your JohnKu says it all.
🚆𝐗 🚆𝐗 🚆𝐗
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Thank you, Resa. I think the train solution is a great one. 🚅X 🚅X 🚅X
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Yes! Agree 100%.
🚅X 🚅X 🚅X 🚅X
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😊X
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What a great idea! Beat electric cars that are limited to mileage and filling stations. 🙂
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Oh yes for sure.
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