Sierra Northern successfully completes initial zero-emission locomotive tests

Unveiling its latest developments at the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association conference in Denver, Colorado, Sierra Northern Railway (SERA) has announced the successful completion of first-phase testing of its four-unit hydrogen fuel cell switching locomotive fleet – powered by Ballard.

Trials were undertaken at SERA’s railyard in West Sacramento, California in March 2025, and the positive learnings and outcomes establish a platform for widespread commercialization in the immediate future for decarbonized rail transport in North America.

Watch highlights from SERA’s testing below:

[Footage courtesy of SERA]

The retrofit project, funded by the California State Transportation Authority and supported by GTI Energy, is converting diesel switcher locomotives to zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell technology, a transition that will significantly reduce CO₂, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions.

SERA's project transforms an older Tier 0 diesel locomotive into a zero-emission switcher using proven hydrogen technology. The decarbonization process involves the integration of an advanced hydrogen fuel cell - supplied by Ballard - hydrogen storage, advanced battery, and system control technologies that provide a green alternative to existing polluting diesel-powered units.

A versatile power module that is utilized in a range of markets and applications, Ballard's FCwave™ 200kW fuel cell engine drives SERA's hydrogen locomotive, providing a flexible, industrial-grade all-in-one power solution that is low in total lifecycle cost and easily scalable - up to 2MW - to power and space requirements. 

Ballard is the fuel cell partner in a 10-player project ecosystem that includes SERA, the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, Railpower Tech, and Velocity Strategies, with critical additional funding from the California Energy Commission, SoCalGas Research Development & Demonstration, and the Low-Carbon Resources Initiative.

"This accomplishment marks another major milestone in SERA's mission to bring hydrogen-powered zero-emission switcher locomotives within commercial reach for the short line industry, both in California and around the world. We are proud to continue to lead the industry with low-emission switching solutions as we continue to demonstrate that SERA has achieved what the industry needs to convert to zero-emission by integrating advanced hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen storage, advanced battery and systems control technologies to provide an alternative to less environmentally friendly diesel-powered locomotives."

Kennan H. Beard President, SERA

SERA has already begun the process of building three additional hydrogen-powered switching locomotives. Testing will be carried out on a planned test track at SERA’s railyard in West Sacramento and is expected to run until the end of 2027 – where it is hoped the completion of testing will instigate the ramp-up of converting SERA’s entire fleet of switchers to hydrogen power, and eventually all 260 switcher locomotives in California.