Stadler to build first hydrogen trains for Sicily

Stadler expands its presence in Italy and signs first contract with Ferrovia Circumetnea (FCE) for the design and supply of two narrow-gauge hydrogen-powered trains.

At EXPO Ferroviaria, an international trade fair dedicated to the railway industry held in Milan, Stadler and the transport company Ferrovia Circumetnea (FCE) signed the first contract for the design and supply of two narrow-gauge hydrogen-powered trains.

The agreement signed following the award of the public tender launched by FCE provides for the possibility of supplying a further 13 vehicles of the same type. The supply of the first two trains also includes five years of full service and technical spare parts.

Technical features of the new trains
The new hydrogen-powered vehicles will be designed and built at Stadler's headquarters in Bussnang, in the canton of Thurgau, Switzerland.

Each hydrogen train consists of two passenger coaches and a central “Power Pack” unit containing the fuel cells and hydrogen tanks.

The trains have 87 seats and can carry a total of 147 passengers. The train also has a low-floor access to allow passengers with reduced mobility and elderly people to easily get on board. It is equipped with a universal PRM toilet and areas for passengers with bicycles and/or pushchairs.

The particularly low axle load of less than 11 tons per axle allows the trains to run on the entire narrow-gauge network operated by FCE.

The trains will run along Etna Nature Park
Particular attention has been paid to the traction system, considering the steep gradients that characterise the Circumetnea line. The static converters and traction batteries are positioned above the motor bogies to ensure excellent grip and optimal traction effort in all weather conditions.

The new trains are intended to run on the Paternò - Randazzo route, which winds through the Etna Nature Park.

19 hydrogen trains for the Italian market
The new order from FCE brings the total number of Stadler narrow-gauge hydrogen trains for the Italian market to 19. The trains were ordered by three different customers in three regions of Italy: 8 vehicles from ARST (Sardinia region) and 9 from FdC (Calabria region). These are the world's first tailor-made narrow-gauge trains powered by hydrogen and fuel cells.