As one of the many energy alternatives, the interest in hydrogen-powered rail transport is gradually increasing worldwide, and some railway vehicles powered by hydrogen are currently in operation or undergoing experimental projects. However, due to the unsafe and unstable nature of hydrogen energy, hydrogen has potential leakage and explosion hazards in all rail transport applications. This paper summarizes the main application technologies of hydrogen safety in light of the research progress and unsafe factors in the process in the field of hydrogen-powered rail transport in various countries, at the same time clarifies the development challenges and difficulties of hydrogen-powered rail transport in the future, and makes suggestions for the development of hydrogen-powered rail transport safety in China.