New Pendolino

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The New Pendolino trains, built by ALSTOM Ferroviaria for Trenitalia and Cisalpino, known as the ETR 600 and ETR 610, respectively, represent a further development of the earlier models in order to better respond to the requirements expressed by the market and the customers of Trenitalia and Cisalpino. The ETR 610 (also knows as the Cisalpino Due) primarily differs from the ETR 600 in the sense that the ETR 610 supports the voltage and signalling systems used in Switzerland and Germany. The innovative features concern the interior and exterior design, now closer to the customers’ brand strategy, and an improved comfort and services for passengers. Moreover, some important technical characteristics have been increased, such as the power of the “traction unit”, and the level of “redundancy” of components and equipment to achieve an ever-better level of reliability. The new trains will be produced in full accordance with the new regulations governing interoperability (for example, passive security in case of impact).

The name, Pendolino, is used to identify the Italian family of high-speed, tilting-technology trains. These trains owe their name (which in Italian means 'small pendulum') to the mechanism enabling them to tilt when going round a bend. The maximum tilt of 8 degrees allows the trains to reach a speed that is up to 35% higher than for conventional trains, whilst assuring the greatest safety and comfort for passengers. Developed by ALSTOM Ferroviaria, world leader in the production of high-speed trains based on tilting technology, they are built at ALSTOM’s Savigliano sites, in Piedmont and in Sesto San Giovanni near Milan (which will supply the traction converters).

The Pendolino first began service in Italy in 1988, under the codes ETR 450, followed by ETR 460, ETR 470 and ETR 480.

The trains have the following characteristics:

  • Seven cars , 4 motors and 3 trailers;
  • Gauge: 1,435 mm,
  • Voltage:
    • ETR 600 (Trenitalia): 3 kV DC – 25 kV AC
    • ETR 610 (Cisalpino): 3 kV DC – 25 kV AC – 15 kV AC
  • Length of coach: 26.2 m (total length 28.2 m);
  • Total length of train: 187.4 m;
  • Width of train: 2.83 m;
  • Maximum load per axle: 16.5 t (with passengers);
  • Weight of train: 387 t;
  • Total weight of train under normal load (with seated passengers): 421 t;
  • Top speed: 250 km/h
  • Total installed power: 5500 kW;
  • Seating: 430 +2 for wheel chair users;
  • Tilting actuating system: electro-hydraulic;
  • HVAC system with built-in redundancy;

The new Pendolino will also be fitted with ERTMS signalling systems (2nd level) and SCMT, while the trains produced for Cisalpino (ETR 610) will have ERTMS, SCMT, ZUB, LZB and Signum systems.

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