Alstom unveils train design for Italian high-speed rail network

Private rail operator, NTV (Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori), unveiled the latest train design and technology being built by Alstom for the Italian high-speed rail network.

The fire-red Pendolino, which features a futuristic front end, is designed to provide crash protection. The design of the train was created by Alstom’s Design & Styling Centre, which also developed the AGV.italo exterior. The interior will be selected and presented to the public in the coming months.

The Pendolino is conceived to be environmentally friendly, per its high recyclability and reduced CO2 emissions. Moreover, its optimized distributed traction system enhances efficiency and acceleration and regenerates energy while braking, according to the company.

This new train, an evolution of the former Pendolino high speed train, can reach a maximum speed of 155 mph. Measuring 614 feet long, the train will be composed of seven cars accommodating around 480 passengers. The major innovation of the train compared to previous generations of Pendolino is its full compatibility with the very latest 2014 TSI ⁽¹⁾ regulations established by the European Union. This EU standard contributes to guaranteeing high levels of safety and efficiency. The Pendolino is part of Alstom’s Avelia family ⁽²⁾ which also includes AGV.Italo train previously purchased by NTV.

The Pendolino will complement the existing fleet of 25 AGV, bringing to a total of 33 trains the Italo fleet. NTV will thus expand its network, responding to a growing demand. The objective is to develop the offer of high-speed main lines on the busy north-east and north-west corridor of Italy. This will represent a new opportunity for millions of travellers who constantly travel along these lines. The increase of the fleet will be part of a development process undertaken by NTV, which in 2015 carried more than nine million passengers, an increase of 40% compared to the previous year.

The eight trains, purchased by NTV on 28 October, are already in planning to soon enter in production at Alstom's sites in Savigliano for the design and manufacturing of the trains, Sesto San Giovanni for the traction systems and Bologna for the signalling systems, while the maintenance will be conducted at Alstom’s site in Nola. The trains are scheduled to be delivered in late 2017, ready to enter service in early 2018.

^{(1)Technical Specifications for Interoperability
(2)The Avelia range is based on 3 current flagship products – Pendolino, Euroduplex and AGV – representing the culmination of 35 years of expertise and more than 1,050 trains in service around the world.}