ETR 610

Alstom Ferroviaria
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Rail transport, Manufacturing
Predecessor	Fiat Ferroviaria
Headquarters	Savigliano and Sesto San Giovanni, Italy
Products	High-speed trains (Pendolino series)
Parent	Alstom

The New Pendolino represents a series of advanced high-speed tilting trains manufactured by Alstom Ferroviaria (previously Fiat Ferroviaria) for operators Trenitalia and Cisalpino. By 2024, these Pendolino trains have been integrated into Alstom’s Avelia Stream lineup of high-speed trains.

Background

The term Pendolino denotes a group of Italian high-speed tilting trains, deriving its name from the Italian word meaning "small pendulum," which highlights their distinctive tilting mechanism. This technology enables a tilt angle of up to 8 degrees, allowing speeds approximately 35% faster than traditional trains while preserving passenger comfort. Developed by Alstom Ferroviaria—who acquired the tilting technology from Fiat Ferroviaria and the British Advanced Passenger Train—these trains are produced at Alstom’s facilities in Savigliano, Piedmont, and Sesto San Giovanni near Milan, the latter specializing in traction converters.

The Pendolino was first introduced in Italy in 1988 with the ETR 450 model, followed by subsequent versions including ETR 460, ETR 470, and ETR 480. A newer generation was launched in 2006 with models such as the ETR 600 for Trenitalia and the ETR 610 / RABe 503 for Cisalpino, which operates services between Switzerland and Italy. Alstom markets these updated models under the New Pendolino designation.

ETR 600-610 (Italy) / RABe 503 (Switzerland)

The ETR 610 / RABe 503, also referred to as the Cisalpino Due, differs from the ETR 600 primarily through its compatibility with Swiss and German voltage and signalling systems. This necessitates heavier onboard traction transformers due to the lower traction power frequency of 16.7 Hz used in those countries, compared to the standard 25 kV 50 Hz AC supply elsewhere. Upgrades include refreshed interior and exterior designs tailored to customer branding, enhanced passenger comfort, increased power from traction units, and greater redundancy of components to improve reliability. These trains meet updated interoperability regulations, including passive safety requirements.

Early testing indicated that the ETR 610's weight was excessive for the Gotthard route connecting Zurich and Milan, restricting cornering speeds and resulting in operational velocities similar to non-tilting trains. This led to questions regarding the project's cost-effectiveness. Although initially planned for introduction in December 2007 alongside the opening of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel, service commencement faced multiple delays and only began revenue operations in August 2009. The train serves international routes between Switzerland and Italy and operates a daily journey from Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof to Milano Centrale via the Gotthard Base Tunnel, returning through Simplon and Lötschberg tunnels.

In 2018, following refurbishment, the fleet was rebranded as Astoro. In January 2023, SBB declared an investment of SFr 120 million (US$131.2 million) for comprehensive upgrades aimed at extending the fleet’s operational lifespan by an additional 15 years. The refurbishment includes component replacements, repainting vehicles, and enhancing accessibility to comply with Swiss federal disability standards.

ED250 (Poland)

On 30 May 2011, Polish State Railways (PKP) entered into an agreement with Alstom for twenty ETR 610 Pendolinos, designated as Pendolino ED250, intended for key mainline routes including Gdynia–Warsaw, the high-speed Central Rail Line (CMK) connecting Kraków/Katowice to Warsaw, as well as Wrocław–Warsaw corridors. The first unit was delivered on 12 August 2013.

During testing on the CMK line, speeds reached 242 km/h on 16 November and set a new Polish rail speed record of 291 km/h on 17 November 2013, surpassing the previous record of 250.1 km/h. Final trials achieved a top speed of 293 km/h on 24 November.

The contract stipulated certification for operations at speeds up to 250 km/h using ETCS Level 2 signalling by May 2014. PKP imposed penalties on Alstom due to delays; however, Alstom contended that ETCS Level 2 was not yet operational in Poland and that CMK utilized ETCS Level 1. A compromise reached in June 2014 allowed a two-phase certification process: initial approval under ETCS Level 1 followed by full ETCS Level 2 certification later. Commercial service was targeted for December 2014.

On 11 September 2014, Poland’s Railway Transport Office certified the ED250 for operation up to 250 km/h according to Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI). By the timetable period of 2020-21, ED250 units were regularly running at scheduled speeds reaching up to 200 km/h on select Warszawa–Gdynia and CMK routes. Unlike other Pendolino models, Polish ED250 trains do not feature tilting technology, which limits their ability to increase speed on curves. In 2020, one unit derailed during a test run in Germany.

Avant S-114 (Spain)

The Avant S-114, also identified as the RENFE Class 114, represents a four-car configuration within the New Pendolino lineup. In October 2004, RENFE placed an order for 30 high-speed trains intended for medium-distance travel, designed without tilting capabilities; this order was subsequently scaled down to thirteen trainsets to complement the existing Class 104 Pendolinos.

The inaugural unit was unveiled in the fall of 2008. RENFE deploys the S-114 fleet on high-speed routes connecting Madrid, Segovia, and Valladolid via the high-speed corridor, thereby improving regional transit options and capacity.

ETR 675 (Italy)

The Pendolino EVO ETR 675, operated by the open-access high-speed carrier Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori (NTV), forms part of Alstom's Avelia series. Although branded as a Pendolino, the ETR 675 does not incorporate tilting technology.

In October 2015, NTV secured a contract for twelve ETR 675 trainsets worth €460 million to augment its fleet and broaden Italo service coverage. Compared to prior AGV models, the ETR 675 has a top speed approximately 50 km/h lower but aligns with NTV's strategy for network expansion. The first set was introduced in Milan during certification testing in October 2017. The following month, NTV opted to acquire five additional trainsets, increasing the total to seventeen.

The initial four ETR 675 units commenced operations in December 2017 on the Rome–Venice corridor, boosting daily departures from 56 to 68. Full integration of the fleet throughout 2018 further elevated daily services to 90 trains, solidifying NTV's competitive stance within Italy's high-speed rail market.

CRH5A (China)

China Railway High-speed (CRH) obtained Alstom technology to locally produce 60 high-speed EMU trains designated CRH5. These are derived from the New Pendolino design but do not feature tilting mechanisms. Additional procurements included 30 sets in 2009 and another 20 in 2010, completing the fleet that operates across northern and eastern Chinese regions.

Technical characteristics

Consists of seven cars: four powered and three trailers
Track gauge:
Electrical system compatibility:
- ETR 600 (Trenitalia): operates on both 3 kV DC and 25 kV AC
- ETR 610 (Trenitalia and Swiss Federal Railways): supports 3 kV DC, 25 kV AC, and 15 kV (16.7 Hz) AC
Individual coach length: ; overall train length:
Width dimension:
Maximum axle load: (including passengers)
Total weight: ; fully loaded weight with passengers:
Maximum operating speed:
Installed power output:
Seating capacity includes 430 seats plus two spaces for wheelchairs
Electro-hydraulic tilting mechanism present on Pendolino variants
HVAC system designed with redundancy

Numerous Pendolino trains are equipped with European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2; certain models like the Swiss ETR 610 also incorporate supplementary signalling systems such as SCMT, ZUB, LZB, and Integra-Signum to ensure broader interoperability across networks.

External links

Pendolino – Alstom