FS Class ALe 801/940
| Company type | Electric multiple unit train |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Predecessor | FS Class ALe 803 |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Headquarters | Italy |
Area served | Italy |
| Products | Commuter electric multiple units |
| Owner | Ferrovie dello Stato (original), Trenitalia (current) |
The ALe 801/940 series consists of electric multiple units developed during the 1970s for Italy's state railway company, Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), currently operated by its successor, Trenitalia.
Description
Typically configured in four-car sets, these trains feature powered units at both ends—designated ALe 801 and ALe 940—with two intermediate trailer cars known as Le 108.
History
During the early part of the 1970s, Ferrovie dello Stato sought to upgrade its commuter rail fleet. Since chopper control technology was still experimental at that time—limited to prototypes like the ″Treni GAI″—FS opted for EMUs equipped with conventional electrical systems. The ALe 801/940 models were commissioned in 1973 as an advancement over the earlier FS Class ALe 803 units, offering increased passenger capacity and improved acceleration.
Manufacture and delivery occurred between 1975 and 1979, with deployment focused on metropolitan areas throughout Italy.
Initially adorned in a vivid orange and yellow color scheme that earned them the nickname "Arancia Meccanica" (the Italian title of the film A Clockwork Orange), these trains were repainted in the late 1990s with the XMPR livery featuring shades of green and blue.
Sources
- Giovanni Cornolò, Automotrici elettriche dalle origini al 1983. Duegi Editrice, 2011 (reprint of 1985). Pages 249–260.