FS Class ETR 600
| Industry | Rail transport manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Savigliano (car bodies), Sesto San Giovanni (electrical components) , Italy |
| Products | ETR 600 high-speed tilting trains |
The ETR 600 (Elettro Treno Rapido 600) represents a series of high-speed trains equipped with tilting technology, manufactured by Alstom Ferroviaria. It belongs to the fourth generation within the Pendolino train family. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, it features an active tilting mechanism capable of up to 8 degrees, allowing enhanced velocity when negotiating curves.
History
A total of 28 trainsets were commissioned by Trenitalia and delivered around mid-2008. The ETR 600 began its scheduled operations in December 2008, initially serving the Rome–Bari corridor.
In the same month, Trenitalia launched the Frecciargento (Silver Arrow) brand to classify trains operating at speeds ranging from 250 to 285 km/h, placing it as the second tier below the Frecciarossa (Red Arrow). Both the ETR 600 and ETR 610 models run under this branding, accompanied by updated livery introduced in November 2008.
Production of the train car bodies took place at Alstom’s Savigliano facility near Turin, while the electrical components were assembled in Sesto San Giovanni, close to Milan.
Technical data
Each trainset consists of seven cars, featuring two powered wheelsets positioned at each end plus adjacent middle cars. Passenger capacity includes 430 seats along with two designated wheelchair spaces. The vehicles measure 26.2 meters in length and are constructed from aluminium extruded profiles, resulting in an overall train length of 187.4 meters and a width of 2.83 meters. The maximum axle load when fully loaded is 16.5 tonnes, with an empty weight of 387 tonnes and a maximum operational weight reaching 421 tonnes.
The units hold certification for speeds up to 250 km/h, while test runs have recorded velocities as high as 280 km/h. They deliver a continuous electrical power output of 5500 kW. The electro-hydraulic tilting system is controlled by a redundant HVAC system to ensure reliability. The ETR 600 variants designed for domestic Italian routes operate on dual systems: 3 kV DC and 25 kV AC at 50 Hz. Meanwhile, the ETR 610 extends compatibility to include 15 kV AC at 16.7 Hz, facilitating international cross-border service.