Fact Check: Did India Conduct Trial Run Of Its First Hydrogen-Operated Vande Bharat Train?

From bullet trains to sleeper Vande Bharat services, India has been making major advancements in the railways sector. Recently, a viral video claimed that Indian Railways is conducting a trial run of the first hydrogen-operated Vande Bharat train at Shimla Railway Station in Himachal Pradesh. But is that true? Here’s all you need to know about it.

Truth Behind India’s First Hydrogen-Operated Vande Bharat Train Trials

A video shared on Instagram by @rickyrailstream claimed that Indian Railways is conducting trials of the country’s first narrow-gauge, hydrogen-operated Vande Bharat train in Himachal Pradesh. According to the post, the trials were taking place on the Kalka-Shimla railway line, which is renowned for its scenic beauty and the iconic toy train that runs on this route.

However, this claim is not true. As per News18, the train in the video is actually a Diesel Hydraulic Multiple Unit (DHMU) coach, and not a hydrogen-operated train. From the looks of it, the coach arrived at the station after a successful trial run at Kalka–Shimla railway line. The train also, reportedly, stopped at Dharampur, Solan, Kandaghat, Shoghi, and Taradevi. It ran at a speed of 28 km/hr. Railway officials were also seen watching the engine and checking its temperature on the way.

Also Read: Heading To Tirupati Temple? Indian Railways Extends Pandharpur-Tirupati Special Trains Till March

Hydrogen Trains In India Soon?

While the claim made in the video is untrue, it is worth noting that India is indeed developing a hydrogen-powered train inspired by the Vande Bharat platform in Chennai. The train is being manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), and although it was initially slated to begin operations in January 2026, the project has faced some delays. As per News18, the train will run on a 356-kilometre route, with expansion plans in place, and will be able to ferry more than 2,000 passengers.

Also Read: “Inaugural Shine vs. Reality,” Food On Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Draws Flak From Passengers

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Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/rickyrailstream