In Japan, trains join the hybrid crowd

We've seen hybrid cars, motorcycles and even planes. But hybrid trains?

Pink Tentacle, our favorite Japanese blog, reports that East Japan Railway Company just completed a dry run of the world's first fuel cell hybrid train. "With two 65-kilowatt fuel cells and six hydrogen tanks under the floor and a secondary battery on the roof, the clean train emits only water and runs without receiving juice from power lines," PT says.

Thirty passengers were aboard for ride, which supposedly will be just as comfortable as that of a standard train. Unless, of course, its riders must endure the Japanese public transportation ritual of being packed in like sardines.

(Photo: Pink Tentacle)