The Italian railway operator
Ferrovie della Calabria (FdC) has ordered three new narrow-gauge (950mm) hydrogen trains from the Swiss company
Stadler; this order is part of a framework agreement signed in 2023 for up to 15 hydrogen-powered trains for the regional and local transport networks in the Italian region of Calabria. Stadler, which is the first world’s first train manufacturer to produce narrow-gauge trains with hydrogen propulsion, is also supplying six for ARST SpA in Sardinia, and five for passenger transport in California.
This order is the second call-off from the framework agreement, following a first call-off for six units. The trains will be manufactured at Stadler’s headquarters in Bussnang, Switzerland.
Ansgar Brockmeyer, Stadler’s executive vice president for marketing and sales, said: “We are very proud that FdC has once again commissioned Stadler to supply additional trains. In partnership with FdC, we are driving forward the decarbonisation of rail transport in Italy. The new narrow-gauge hydrogen trains are a world first and pave the way to sustainable rail transport on narrow-gauge lines worldwide. We thank FdC for the trust and look forward to deepening our partnership with them.”
Each train consists of two passenger cars and a power pack. The cars feature lightweight aluminium structures to make the trains more energy efficient. The power pack houses the fuel cells and hydrogen tanks, as well as other technical equipment. Some 50m long, the new trains offer 89 seats per vehicle for a total of 155 passengers; and thanks to their low-floor access, they are fully accessible for not only people with reduced mobility but also passengers with pushchairs and bicycles.