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Hitachi Rail Italy

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Hitachi Rail Italy
FormerlyAnsaldoBreda (2001–2015)
Company typeSocietà per Azioni (S.p.A.)
IndustryEngineering
PredecessorGio. Ansaldo & C. and Società Italiana Ernesto Breda
Founded2001
SuccessorHitachi Rail STS
Headquarters
Pistoia
,
Italy
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Maurizio Manfellotto (President & CEO)
ProductsRail transport vehicles
ServicesMaintenance
Number of employees
2,400
ParentHitachi Rail (2015–2021)
Finmeccanica (2001–2015)
SubsidiariesHitachi Rail USA[1]
Websitehitachirail.com

Hitachi Rail Italy S.p.A. operates as an international manufacturer of rail rolling stock headquartered in Pistoia, Italy. Originally known as AnsaldoBreda S.p.A., it was a subsidiary under the state-owned group Finmeccanica until its acquisition by Japan's Hitachi Rail in 2015.[2] Following the completion of this transaction, the firm adopted its present name in November 2015 to signify the change in ownership.[3]

Origins: Ansaldo and Breda

File:Giovanni Ansaldo .jpg
Giovanni Ansaldo established the company in 1853.

Ansaldo

The firm Gio. Ansaldo & C. was founded in 1853 in Genoa, focusing on manufacturing steam locomotives, rail vehicles, and steam engines. It received support from Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, then finance minister of Piedmont-Sardinia, who sought to lessen reliance on foreign-made trains and rolling stock.[4] In 1854, Ansaldo introduced its steam locomotive model FS113, nicknamed Sampierdarena. During the First World War, the company became a significant arms supplier for Italy’s military; however, post-war challenges in transitioning back to civilian production led to its nationalization in 1921.[5] Throughout the twentieth century, the business expanded into various sectors including power generation (Ansaldo Energia) and nuclear technology research, while its rail vehicle manufacturing was consolidated under Ansaldo Trasporti.

Breda

File:Milano mus Scienza Tecnologia locomotiva S685.JPG
The thousandth locomotive produced by Breda, the FS 685.600, displayed at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Milan.

The company Società Italiana Ernesto Breda was established in Milan in 1886 by Ernesto Breda.[6] By 1908, Breda had completed its thousandth locomotive.[6] The transition to electric locomotives began in 1936 with the introduction of the FS Class ETR 200 series electric multiple unit. In 1939, this model achieved the land speed record for rail vehicles[7] reaching a speed of 203 km/h (126 mph).[8] Alongside Ansaldo, Breda became a principal supplier of military equipment including artillery and aircraft for the Fascist government. Following Second World War, the company faced financial collapse and was subsequently nationalized in 1947. During Italy’s economic boom in the 1950s and 1960s, Breda manufactured a widely acclaimed commuter train known as the FS Class ETR 300, produced multiple classes of railcars and locomotives, and expanded into defense sectors (OTO Melara) and particularly into bus manufacturing (BredaMenarinibus). In the 1980s, Breda contributed to the consortium responsible for developing Italy’s inaugural high-speed train, the FS Class ETR 500.

Merger and crisis (2001–2015)

File:AnsaldoBreda logo.svg
AnsaldoBreda emblem used from 2001 to 2015.

In a significant reorganization move in 2001, the Italian government consolidated all rolling stock operations from the financially troubled Ansaldo and Breda into a newly formed entity named AnsaldoBreda,[9] which was incorporated into the state-owned Finmeccanica group.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Despite securing numerous major contracts across Europe and North America, AnsaldoBreda struggled due to insufficient investment and limited production capabilities,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name resulting in widespread criticism over product reliability issues and persistent delivery delays that tarnished its corporate image.

Disputes and Issues in the 2000s

In 1991, AnsaldoBreda supplied 100 units of the 4000 Series railcars to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. On July 4, 2010, following multiple incidents where doors unexpectedly opened while trains were moving, Metro withdrew this fleet for repairs, returning them to service by July 20 of the same year. Later, on November 17, 2016, Metro identified a flaw causing a 4000-series car to display incorrect speed limits to operators when in manual mode—the sole mode used after the June 2009 train collision. By June 7, 2017, it was announced that these cars would be completely retired by July 1, 2017, with all units removed from operation by that date.

AnsaldoBreda's delivery of 83 IC4 trainsets to Danish State Railways (DSB) was initially scheduled between 2003 and 2006. However, completion extended until 2013, and throughout their service life, these trains encountered numerous technical difficulties. In 2016, DSB declared plans to phase out the IC4 trains starting in 2024.

Following a significant contract award for the Dutch-Belgian Fyra project in 2004, nine V250 train units were delivered to Dutch operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) more than five years behind schedule. Shortly after commencing operations on the high-speed line connecting the Netherlands and Belgium, the V250 trains experienced critical technical failures. The Fyra service quickly gained a reputation for unreliability; within one month, over 5% of scheduled trains were canceled and fewer than 45% operated on time. On May 31, 2013, Belgian partner NMBS/SNCB announced its withdrawal from the Fyra initiative and terminated its contract with AnsaldoBreda.

The City of Gothenburg in Sweden ordered 40 one-directional Sirio trams intended for deployment on the Gothenburg tram network beginning in 2005. These vehicles arrived late and exhibited poor performance once operational. Reported issues included corrosion problems, excessive track wear caused by the trams themselves, malfunctioning air conditioning systems, and unsatisfactory ride comfort. Consequently, Gothenburg withheld a substantial portion of payment for each tram until full operational standards were met.

Oslo Tramway’s fleet includes 32 two-directional SL95 trams delivered from 1999 onwards. These vehicles have faced multiple challenges related to rust during snowy conditions, and their heavy weight leads to increased maintenance demands on infrastructure such as streets and rails, resulting in elevated operating costs. Additionally, they are criticized for generating excessive noise. Replacement of these trams commenced in 2020 with complete phase-out planned by 2024.

After seven years into a four-year project involving a new signaling system for Stockholm’s red metro line valued at approximately one billion SEK, the Stockholm region opted to cancel its contract with Ansaldo. The prepayments amounting to several hundred million SEK are currently subject to arbitration proceedings.

Maintenance difficulties associated with MBTA’s AnsaldoBreda Type 8 light rail vehicles caused delays in retiring the older Boeing LRVs by several years. MBTA Chief Operating Officer Jeff Gonneville described these vehicles as posing a "maintenance challenge." Furthermore, an October 2016 report by The Boston Globe revealed that the Green Line experienced more derailments than any other light rail system nationwide during that period, largely attributed to the Type 8 cars.

Italian High-Speed Rail Initiatives

File:Frecciarossa 1000.tif
The Frecciarossa 1000 train.

Despite facing a significant terminal crisis, AnsaldoBreda remained actively involved in Italy's high-speed rail development until its dissolution. The ETR 500, introduced in 1993, underwent continuous enhancements and achieved a record velocity of 362 km/h (225 mph) inside the Monte Bibele tunnel connecting Florence and Bologna in 2009, establishing a new tunnel speed record for trains. A subsequent generation of high-speed trains, the Frecciarossa 1000, was created through a partnership with Bombardier Transportation and commenced operations in 2015. On 26 February 2016, the Frecciarossa 1000 reportedly reached a maximum speed of 393.8 km/h (244.7 mph) while operating on the Torino-Milano high-speed corridor.[10]

Hitachi Italy Period (2015 to Present)

Unable to secure adequate financing for a comprehensive overhaul of its struggling subsidiary, Finmeccanica announced on 2 November 2015 the completion of transactions involving the acquisition of AnsaldoBreda by Hitachi, alongside Finmeccanica’s 40% ownership in Ansaldo STS, valued at $2.2 billion.[11]

According to agreements ratified on 24 February 2015, and following a dividend payout declared on 6 March, the acquisition price for Finmeccanica’s shares in Ansaldo STS was fixed at €9.50 per share, totaling approximately €761 million. The overall net payment for AnsaldoBreda as an ongoing concern, including real estate holdings, was around €30 million. Under this arrangement, Finmeccanica retained responsibility for certain outstanding contracts.[12]

Following Hitachi’s takeover, production of certain British Rail Class 802 units was relocated to Hitachi Rail Italy’s facility in Pistoia, as the Hitachi Rail Newton Aycliffe plant had reached full capacity.[13]

Products

See also: Category:AnsaldoBreda locomotives
See also: Category:AnsaldoBreda multiple units

DMU and EMU

Metro

(All these metro vehicles are currently operational within the Milan Metro system as of 2023.)

Tram and light rail

Locomotives

Brazil

  • Elettrotreno ETR 211 (Metrostar) serving the Linha Sul line of the Fortaleza Metro

China

Denmark

Greece

Italy

Morocco

  • The ONCF utilizes a fleet of 24 multiple unit trains of the TAF Z2M model.[29]
File:ONCF - Ansaldo Breda Z2M.jpg
TAF Z2M train operated by ONCF

Norway

  • The Norwegian State Railways (Vy) operates 36 electric multiple units of the NSB Class 72 series.[30]
  • Sporveien Trikken manages a fleet of 32 articulated, low-floor trams of the SL95 model for the Oslo Tramway.[31] Over time, AnsaldoBreda has modernized these vehicles to align with Norwegian operational standards and expectations.[32][33]

Spain

Sweden

  • Sirio trams manufactured by Hitachi are utilized on the Gothenburg tram network in Gothenburg.[37][38][39]

Turkey

File:AnsaldoBreda Sirio in Samsun.jpg
Sirio tram by AnsaldoBreda in Samsun
  • A total of 38 Sirio trams serve the Kayseray light rail system in Kayseri.
  • Sirio trams are also deployed on the Samsun Tram network.

United Kingdom

  • The Midland Metro in Birmingham previously operated a fleet of sixteen two-car T69 trams.[40] After 14 years, these were fully replaced by CAF Urbos 3 trams in 2015.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
  • Manchester Metrolink began service in 1992 with 26 AnsaldoBreda T-68 trams, followed by an additional six slightly modified units delivered by 2000. This fleet was entirely phased out by July 2014.
  • Great Western Railway placed an order for 36 British Rail Class 802 trainsets, which were produced at Hitachi Rail Italy’s facility in Pistoia.

United States

  • The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority operates a fleet of 100 Breda CQ312 multiple unit cars, numbered 601 to 702, built between 2001 and 2005.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
  • Boston's MBTA Green Line utilizes a fleet of 95 AnsaldoBreda Type 8 LRVs alongside existing Kinki Sharyo Type 7 vehicles.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name These Breda cars have presented significant maintenance challenges and are anticipated to have shorter service lives than their predecessors.
  • Cleveland’s RTA Rapid Transit runs 48 AnsaldoBreda LRVs on its Blue and Green Lines.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
  • The Los Angeles Metro A Line operates a fleet of 50 AnsaldoBreda P2550 light rail vehicles.[41]
  • On the Los Angeles Metro B and D Lines, there are 72 AnsaldoBreda A650 cars in service.
  • San Francisco's Muni Metro utilizes both AnsaldoBreda LRV2 and LRV3 models, totaling 151 vehicles.[42][43]
  • The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority manages several series of Washington Metro railcars:
    • The 1000-Series includes 300 units originally built by Rohr, Inc., with 290 refurbished by Breda; these were retired in 2017.
    • The fleet also comprises 76 units of the 2000-Series.
    • There are 290 units of the 3000-Series.
    • The 4000-Series consists of 100 units, which were retired in 2017.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
    • An order for 256 units of the new 8000-Series is underway, with deliveries commencing in 2024.[44]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
  • Hitachi Rail USA assembled a total of 136 cars for Miami-Dade’s Metrorail system in Medley, Florida.
  • For Baltimore’s Metro SubwayLink, Hitachi Rail USA produced and assembled a fleet of 78 railcars.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
  • Honolulu’s Skyline transit line operates with a fleet of 80 railcars.

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  3. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  5. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Treccani.it
  7. ↑ "In an attempt to surpass the world speed record for trains, which a German diesel train had recently reached at 215 km/h during testing, a new run was planned with an ETR.200. Engineer Mario Martinelli of FS recalls that 'since it seemed the run would be repeated, the ETR.214 was chosen for this second feat... however, the second run was ultimately cancelled as war approached." Cf Cornolò, Una leggenda op. cit., p. 34.
  8. ↑ Maurizio Panconesi, La direttissima degli Appennini. La linea Bologna-Prato e le sue ferrovie di servizio, Cortona, Calosci, 2002, ISBN 88-7785-179-1, pp. 121-125.
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named company
  10. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  11. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  12. ↑ Hitachi agrees to buy Ansaldo STS and AnsaldoBreda Archived 2018-09-17 at the Wayback Machine (24 Feb 2015)
  13. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  14. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  15. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  16. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  17. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  18. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  19. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  20. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  21. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  22. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  23. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  24. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  25. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  26. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  27. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  28. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  29. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  30. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  31. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  32. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  33. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  34. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  35. ↑ Serie 7000 Archived October 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  36. ↑ Serie 9000 Archived October 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  37. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named gp_2nov2015
  38. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named up_1
  39. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named up_2
  40. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named boynton2001page80
  41. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named metro.net
  42. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Fleet Plan
  43. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NewBreda
  44. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named performance vehicles

Further reading

  • Giovanni Cornolò, Una leggenda che corre. Breve storia dell'elettrotreno e dei suoi primati. ETR.200 - ETR.220 - ETR 240, 2nd edition, Salò, Editrice Trasporti su Rotaie, 1990, ISBN 88-85068-23-5
  • Stefano Garzaro, Angelo Nascimbene, FS-Italia. Elettrotreno ETR 400 "Pendolino", series Monografie ferroviarie no. 6, Torino, Edizioni Elledi, 1982

External links

File:Commons-logo.svg Media related to Lua error in Module:Commons_link at line 62: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). at Wikimedia Commons

  • Lua error in Module:Official_website at line 90: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).(in Italian)

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