Premier voyage du « train le plus vert du monde » en Amérique du Nord
The two carriages of the Coradia iLint were powered by green hydrogen energy and successfully carried their first group of passengers across the North American continent on Saturday. The journey was from Parc-de-la-Chute-Montmorency to Baie-Saint-Paul.
Some curious people, as well as a few mayors and dignitaries, got on board for this very formal inaugural journey.
The Charlevoix Network, which manages the Charlevoix Train on private tracks, aims to appeal to a new clientele interested in ecology and agrotourism.
Before the train departed on Saturday morning at around 9:30, the CEO, Nancy Belley, expressed her delight in seeing passengers enjoy this type of train for the first time in North America. She mentioned that their train has become the only tourist train in Quebec, so they are very pleased about having access to this hydrogen-powered train.
Some passengers on the new train's inaugural journey are enjoying the river view from aboard.
The scenery, ranging from the mountains to the sea, alone is enough to captivate passengers. This summer, it will compete with the train itself, which offers a fresh experience for those who board, as stated by Mrs. Belley.
"This is a completely distinct customer base. They come specifically for the rolling stock."
, explique que les membres de l'équipe travaillent ardemment pour offrir des services de qualité aux clients. Elle ajoute que la satisfaction de la clientèle est leur priorité absolue et qu'ils cherchent toujours à améliorer leur offre. Elle invite également les clients à donner leur avis sur leur expérience afin qu'ils puissent continuer à s'améliorer. Nancy Belley, General Manager of Réseau Charlevoix, states that her team is working tirelessly to provide quality services to their clients. She emphasizes that customer satisfaction is their top priority and they always strive to enhance their offerings. She also urges clients to provide feedback on their experiences to enable the team to continue improving.
Rewritten: Image: Radio-Canada / Louis-Philippe Arsenault
1000 Km With Green Hydrogen
In about two hours, the two train cars transport passengers about 90 kilometers from Quebec to Baie-Saint-Paul. According to Alstom, this type of train, which has been tested in Europe for a few years now, could travel even longer distances.
The inside of the Coradia iLint train.
Picture: Canada's Broadcasting Corporation / Louis-Philippe Arsenault
Eric Rondeau, who is the Director of Innovation at Alstom Americas, claims that we are now capable of traveling completely independently for thousands of kilometers.
The company states that the Coradia iLint managed to cover a record distance of 1175 kilometers with just one hydrogen fill-up in September 2022.
The hydrogen train runs on an electric traction system powered by the energy generated by fuel cells. The energy produced is stored in batteries.
Image: Technical specifications provided by Alstom Alstom, a French multinational company specializing in transport, has developed a new electric bus called Aptis. The vehicle, designed for urban environments, has a unique design that allows it to increase the number of passengers without increasing the size of the bus. The Aptis has a modular design that can be customized to meet the specific needs of different cities. It is also equipped with the latest technological innovations, such as a regenerative braking system that recharges the battery while braking. The Aptis is already being used in several cities in France and Europe, including Germany and Belgium, where it has proven to be a reliable and efficient means of public transportation. The electric bus is part of Alstom's commitment to sustainability and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. By replacing traditional buses with electric ones, cities can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and improve air quality. Overall, the Aptis is a promising example of the rapid advancement of electric vehicles in the transportation sector. As technology continues to improve, we can expect to see more innovative designs and solutions that help us move towards a more sustainable and efficient future.
Mr. Rondeau highlights that the train is primarily powered by electricity. The electricity is generated by feeding hydrogen, which is produced locally in Quebec through Harnois Energies.
Eric Rondeau is the director of Alstom's Center of Innovation.
Reworded: Picture: Louis-Philippe Arsenault of Radio-Canada captured the image.
In North America, Quebec is the first place where passengers can hop on a hydrogen train. The Coradia iLint underwent testing in Germany in 2022.
Using different vocabulary: With the details from Louis-Philippe Arsenault.
