STADLER has secured two framework agreements with two Italian operators to supply what it says will be the world’s first narrow-gauge hydrogen-powered rolling stock, under Stadler’s inaugural European hydrogen fleet order.
Sardinian Regional Transport Company (ARST) has ordered 10 950mm-gauge two-car trains and Calabria Railways (FdC) 15, with both operators set to receive six trains each under the initial orders within the framework contracts.
Stadler and the two railways signed the supply contracts in Rome on July 20. Funding for both projects is supported by European Union (EU) under Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).
The 50m-long aluminium-bodied trains feature a central power pack to house the fuel cells and hydrogen tanks. The fully-accessible trains will each have 89 seats and capacity for a total of 155 passengers. There will be dedicated areas for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bicycles as well as an accessible toilet.
Stadler will manufacture the trains in Bussnang, Switzerland.
“We are proud to be working together to drive 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 trains with hydrogen propulsion are a world premiere and will pioneer sustainable rail transport on narrow-gauge lines worldwide.”
For detailed data on fleet orders from around the world, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
