FNM SpA — the second-largest railway company in Italy — and the Swiss train manufacturer Stadler (www.stadlerrail.com) have signed a framework agreement for the supply of ‘interoperable’ electric trains that are approved for operation in both Italy and Switzerland; they will be used on the TiLo (Ticino Lombardy) cross-border service.

The agreement, which lasts for eight years, covers five trains, with an option for another four. Worth just under 115 million euros, it also includes first- and second-level maintenance services. The delivery of the first five trains is envisaged by November 2020.

The bi-directional six-car ‘fixed-composition’ trains with dual power voltage (3kV DC for Italy and 15kV AC for Switzerland) are 104.9m long, accommodate a total of 655 people (244 seated) and are designed for a maximum speed of 160kph. They will be compatible with the existing TiLo fleet.

Meanwhile, Stadler achieved further sales success in the USA, when the board of Caltrain — a commuter rail line on the San Francisco Peninsula and in the Santa Clara Valley — approved the purchase of additional electric trains to expand its fleet from 16 six-car trains to 19 seven-car trains.

The contract option with Stadler for additional EMUs (electric multiple units) is worth about $175 million.

Caltrain foresees a potential demand of over 240,000 weekday passengers on the system by 2040, up from the current number of 65,000.