We don’t know, for certain, what the future holds for running a commuter train between Mooresville and Charlotte. The economy went south after ambitious plans were unveiled some years ago for a line of commuter trains criss-crossing the greater Charlotte area, so the timetable for beginning commuter rail service is up in the air.
Even so, a small group of local folks isn’t giving up in its determination to have our local train powered by hydrogen fuel cells instead of diesel fuel. More broadly, the group is trying to keep that green technology – dubbed hydrail – fresh in the minds of energy movers and shakers around the world.
It hasn’t been easy. Outside of Mooresville, interest in hydrail has never been particularly strong in the Charlotte area. Media attention has been minimal. Overseas, the concept of hydrail is much more entrenched, especially in countries like Denmark, Spain, Belgium and France.
As an article in Sunday’s Tribune detailed, local hydrail proponents Stan Thompson – who coined the term “hydrail” -- and Bill Thunberg have struggled with obtaining financing to allow local representatives to champion the cause of hydrogen fuel cell technology at energy conferences around the world.
They hope a new series of public radio promotional spots will get the message of hydrail to a bigger audience in the Charlotte area. We wish them success. If the commuter train ever makes it to Mooresville, we believe hydrail will definitely be the environmentally friendly way to power it.
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