The Italian national rail operator, Trenitalia, has signed a framework agreement with Stadler for the supply of up to 50 Eurolight Dual locomotives, with the first call-off order being for 13 units.
Included in the agreement is full service of the locomotives for ten years, extendable for two further periods of five years.
In 2022, Trenitalia awarded Stadler a four-year framework agreement for the supply and maintenance of bi-mode (3kV DC + diesel) locomotives. The new Eurolight locomotives are intended for use all over the Italian railway network for train rescue and passenger push-pull operations.
The new locomotives are based on Stadler’s Eurolight four-axle platform and have a maximum speed of 160 km/h. As with the rest of the Eurolight family, they have a compact design and lightweight monocoque structure, as feature the latest bogie technology. They combine high performance, with low weight and a reduced axle load that will not exceed 20 tonnes/axle, they are suitable for service on both main and secondary lines.
By having both diesel and electric traction they are able to operate throughout the entire Italian network – RFI, and incorporate the ETCS B3R2/ SCMT / SCC safety systems. The locomotives have the capability to rescue up to two coupled ETR1000 trains on a 21 ‰ gradient, which represents the most challenging conditions in Italy for this kind of operation.
The new Eurolight Dual locomotives provide excellent comfort, safety, and visibility for train drivers. Their innovative design features include regenerative braking with energy recovery, an efficient AC traction system with one inverter per axle that provides a high level of redundancy and increased reliability, a HEP system to supply energy to the train, and the choice of either a UIC or an automatic coupler.
Iñigo Parra, CEO of Stadler Valencia said: “We are very proud of this contract with Trenitalia. The EUROLIGHT family of universal locomotives have a multitude of applications and can run on all types of lines. The innovative and cost-effective solution will provide environmentally friendly rail transport services and meet the demands of Trenitalia reliably, efficiently and productively”.
Responses
I wish Stadler every success.
However I think that the company raises very hard questions for Britain. Switzerland is a high wage economy and every train set manufactured by Stadler for Britain has to be transported across Europe to reach the British Isles. Britain invented railways. Why do we no longer have a home owned railway manufacturing company ?