Hydrogen transported by rail in UK first

Network Rail, Freightliner and GeoPura have transported hydrogen for the first time on Britain’s rail network in what is an encouraging achievement that indicates rail’s future role in transporting hydrogen.

On 3 December 2025 at Network Rail’s Tuxford Test Tracks site, Freightliner hauled a train of gas containers from Doncaster to High Marnham.

It belonged to a rail and energy industry innovation event that showcased a number of hydrogen initiatives, including the first re-engineered hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive, HPU hydrogen-powered generators, lighting towers and support vehicles.

The Tuxford site runs all the way to High Marnham where it sits adjacent to HyMarnham Power, one of the UK’s largest green hydrogen production facilities operated by GeoPura and JG Pears. It will operate as the world’s first net zero testing facility.

Hydrogen will be used in the decarbonisation of wider rail operations including construction, ongoing maintenance, and off-grid operations.