799201 and 37800 at Shrub Hill.

[TimBrown]

Today, Tuesday 7 November 2023, the Hydroflex Hydrogen test unit paid another visit to Worcester Shrub Hill from Long Marston, with Rail Operating Group 37800 acting as a 'Thunderbird' rescue locomotive as the HMU is a little less than reliable. 799201 is seen in the distance with steam issuing from the exhaust awaiting the right of way at a distance signal, and then in profile as the photo is taken directly into the sun on platform one at the station.

37800 'Cassiopeia' was originally booked on RTT (Realtime Trains website) to run from Derby RTC to Worcester, but in the event ran in from Newport Docks (Sims Group) to Worcester Middle Siding, presumably having delivered redundant units yesterday to Sims for scrapping.

[TimBrown]

37800 'Cassiopeia' and 'Hydroflex' development unit both back in Worcester this morning Tuesday 12 December 2023. 37800 is seen with 158747 which is working a Bristol Temple Meads service to Worcester Foregate Street.

Then with 172216 working a Worcester Foregate Street to Stratford-upon-Avon service.

'Hydroflex' hydrogen powered development unit is seen passing through Worcester Shrub Hill on a test run from Long Marston to Barnt Green.

[TimBrown]

'Hydroflex' Hydrogen powered test and development unit 799201 was in Worcester again this morning, Wednesday 20 December 2024, with rare Mirlees engined 37901 'Mirlees Pioneer' (one of only two Class 37's converted to this power plant from English Electric engine) acting as 'Thunderbird in event of a failure of the unit.

[TimBrown]

Yet another test run by 'Hydroflex' unit 799201 today, Tuesday 13 February 2024, from Long Marston to Kidderminster and back with another journey between Worcester and Kidderminster earmarked for later in the day. The 'Thunderbird' rescue locomotive on standby today was 37884 'Cepheus' seen in the Shrub Hill middle line stabling point.

[TimBrown]

The attached article appeared in the Mail on Sunday, yesterday 30 March 2025, giving
brief schematic details of HydroFLEX unit 799201 power source. However, 18 tons of hydrogen canisters and safety equipment seems excessive especially if designed to provide branch line services. I read that production of hydrogen is a very environmentally dirty process which negates the clean end use power. That old Yorkshire phrase “You don’t get ought for nought!” comes to mind. Hopefully new less polluting hydrogen manufacturing processes will be developed soon?

Note; 799201 still needs a Class 37 ‘Thunderbird’ from Derby in attendance at
Worcester Shrub Hill centre line stabling point every time it ventures out for a test run!
That said the 37 hasn’t been called out to actually rescue the Hydro FLEX unit for some
time now.