First Narrow-Gauge Hydrogen Train Contract Signed!

Swiss company Stadler has recently signed a cooperation agreement with Ferrovia Circumetnea (FCE), the railway company of Sicily, to build the region's first hydrogen-powered narrow-gauge train. This marks Stadler's first hydrogen railway project in Sicily, Italy. The signing ceremony was held at the EXPO Ferroviaria (Milan Railway Expo). The contract includes the design and supply of 2 train sets, along with an option for 13 additional sets, as well as 5 years of full-service support and technical spare parts supply.

The hydrogen trains will be designed and manufactured at Stadler's Bussnang factory in Switzerland, and are scheduled to operate on the Paternò-Randazzo line. This line runs through the Etna Volcano Natural Park, winding along the volcanic slopes. The trains feature a 2-car configuration, with a "power pack" in the middle that integrates hydrogen storage tanks and fuel cells. Each train set has 87 fixed seats and a maximum passenger capacity of 147, balancing practicality and comfort. Designed with full consideration for accessibility, the trains are equipped with low-floor entrances and universal accessible toilets, and also reserve space for bicycles and strollers to adapt to diverse travel scenarios.

With an axle load controlled below 11 tons, the trains can operate on FCE's entire narrow-gauge network. Their traction systems have been specially adapted to handle the steep gradients of the line, ensuring stable operation in the complex terrain of the volcanic area. Notably, with this Sicilian order, the total number of hydrogen trains Stadler will build for Italy has reached 19 sets. Previously, Stadler had already secured orders from ARST (Sardinia) and FdC (Calabria), continuously expanding Italy's zero-emission railway network.

Stadler's hydrogen layout in Italy began in 2023. With funding from Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan, it signed a framework agreement with ARST (Sardinia) and FdC (Calabria) to supply up to 25 narrow-gauge hydrogen train sets. Leveraging these projects, Stadler has become the world's first manufacturer to supply hydrogen trains for Europe's narrow-gauge railways. Its technology is derived from the FLIRT H2 platform developed for the U.S. market, and this Sicilian project will further promote the application of this technology in the Mediterranean region of Europe.