CALABRIA Railways (FdC) has ordered a further three hydrogen-powered trains from Stadler to operate local and regional services on its 950mm-gauge network in southern Italy.
This is the second order called off by FdC under a framework agreement for the supply and maintenance of up to 15 trains that was signed in July 2023. It follows an initial order for six trains.
The new FdC hydrogen fleet will be built at Stadler’s main plant in Bussnang, Switzerland. Each train consists of two cars and a power module housing fuel cells and hydrogen tanks. Lightweight aluminium bodyshells will reduce energy consumption, Stadler says.
The 50m-long trains will each have 89 seats and will be able to accommodate up to 155 passengers in total. Low-floor boarding will make them fully accessible for persons with reduced mobility (PRM), as well as those travelling with pushchairs or bicycles.
There will be specific areas near the doors for pushchairs and bicycles, and an accessible toilet fully compliant with the European PRM TSI. The new trains are expected to enter service in 2026.
FdC CEO, Mr Ernesto Ferraro, says that the new hydrogen-powered fleet and associated investment projects now underway, including infrastructure upgrades and the construction of a hydrogen production plant, form part of the railway’s strategy to become a modern and sustainable public transport company within the next three years.
This is being funded by the Calabria region and the Italian government under its National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), supported by the European Union (EU).
“These goals are now possible thanks to the synergy created with the Calabria region, the company’s sole shareholder, and with the relevant ministries, which have made available the necessary resources to support the industrial plan that the company is pursuing,” Ferraro says.
“A total investment of more than €400m confirms the company’s desire to become a leader in regional transport and to provide more services to users,” says FdC investment manager, Mr Aristide Vercillo Martino.
“In partnership with FdC, we are driving forward the decarbonisation of rail transport in Italy,” says Mr Ansgar Brockmeyer, executive vice-president of marketing and sales at Stadler.
“The new narrow-gauge hydrogen trains are a world first and pave the way to sustainable rail transport on narrow-gauge lines worldwide.”
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