Quiet. Clean. Hydrogen. With this triad, Südostbayernbahn (SOB) and Siemens Mobility, together with representatives from federal and state politics, presented the first hydrogen train for regular service in Bavaria today.

At the official presentation in Mühldorf, the Siemens Mireo Plus H was symbolically added to the SOB fleet. Test and training runs are currently underway, and from December 2026, passengers will benefit from the three barrier-free, modern, and locally emission-free vehicles on the Mühldorf–Burghausen route.

The three hydrogen-powered trains will be deployed as part of the "Mühldorf 2025+ Line Star" transport contract. The Bavarian Railway Company (BEG), which plans, finances, and oversees regional rail passenger transport on behalf of the Free State of Bavaria, mandated their use. Siemens Mobility is supplying the three Mireo Plus H-trains to Südostbayernbahn.

Christoph Kraller, Deutsche Bahn's representative for the Free State of Bavaria : "With the first hydrogen train in regular service, we are demonstrating how the phase-out of diesel on the railways can succeed. Together with our partners, we are thus further advancing the climate-friendly transport revolution. These trains not only save CO2 ,  they are also quieter than conventional diesel trains. This benefits the environment, passengers, and local residents alike."

Ulrich Lange, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport: “The Federal Ministry of Transport is specifically supporting innovative drive technologies to accelerate the implementation of climate-friendly mobility. The hydrogen trains now entering service exemplify the successful transfer of innovation into regular operation. What began with the ‘H2goesRail’ funding project is now becoming part of everyday life for local residents: with a modern, climate-friendly, and reliable rail connection. The Federal Ministry of Transport is supporting Südostbayernbahn with a total of €8.2 million for the procurement of vehicles, refueling infrastructure, and an electrolyzer. Many thanks to everyone involved for their pioneering work!”

Christian Bernreiter, Bavarian State Minister for Housing, Construction and Transport : “The Südostbayernbahn is making railway history at its central rail hub. The Bavarian State Government has decided to end diesel operations in Bavarian local rail passenger transport by 2040. Hydrogen trains, along with the electrification of lines and the use of battery-powered trains, form one piece of the puzzle and can be ideally deployed on the Munich to Burghausen route, in the so-called Chemical Triangle. I am confident that the trains ‘Made in Bavaria’ will operate reliably on this route and wish all passengers a wonderful rail experience on the hydrogen train.”

The Siemens Mireo Plus H operates with zero local emissions and is a climate-friendly alternative to diesel, especially for non-electrified routes. Hydrogen is supplied via a newly built DB Energie filling station in Mühldorf, which is powered by 100 percent renewable electricity.

The procurement of the hydrogen trains is being funded with a total of €4.4 million under the German Federal Ministry of Transport's (BMV) "Guideline for the Promotion of Alternative Drives in Rail Transport," while the construction of the refueling infrastructure is receiving €3.8 million. Funding for this project is also being provided through the German Recovery and Resilience Plan (DARP) via the European Recovery and Resilience Facility (ARF) within the NextGenerationEU program. The funding guidelines are coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by the Project Management Jülich (PtJ).

Source:FuelCellsWorks