A hydrogen-powered railway is currently under development in the US in plans which its developers hope will hold worldwide interest.

The Interstate Traveler Corporation in Detroit has developed designs for an elevated light rail-type mass transit system that runs on hydrogen and solar power, with solar panels to line the track.

Solar panels would cover the support apparatus for the tracks and water would be piped through for hydrogen power, with stations next to the tracks producing the hydrogen power.

"It allows it to be self-sustaining," Justin Sutton, founder and chairman of the company, told the Detroit News.

"If we build a mile of this rail, it can support three vehicles and not have to buy energy."

Mr Sutton is currently planning worldwide marketing for the rail system, in hopes it will be commercially viable in other countries throughout the world.

Meanwhile North Carolina hosted the first International Hydrail Conference on Friday, which saw officials from all over the world coming to discuss using hydrogen fuel cells to power commuter trains.

Officials say they hope North Carolina becomes the first state to put the technology to use in this way. A scheme is already undergoing testing in Japan.