New Pendolino

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

The New Pendolino represents a series of high-speed tilting trains produced by Alstom Ferroviaria (previously Fiat Ferroviaria) for operators Trenitalia and Cisalpino. By 2024, Pendolino trains have become part of Alstom's Avelia Stream family of high-speed trains.

Background

The Pendolino name refers to a collection of Italian high-speed tilting trains, characterized by their pendulum-inspired tilting mechanism that permits an inclination of up to 8 degrees on curves. This innovation allows these trains to travel approximately 35% faster than standard trains while preserving passenger comfort. The technology was developed by Alstom Ferroviaria, which inherited it from Fiat Ferroviaria and earlier British designs. Manufacturing takes place at Alstom’s Savigliano facility in Piedmont and the Sesto San Giovanni plant near Milan, responsible for producing traction converters.

Service with the Pendolino family began in Italy in 1988 with the ETR 450 model, followed by subsequent versions including ETR 460, ETR 470, and ETR 480. A newer generation debuted in 2006 featuring the ETR 600 for Trenitalia and the ETR 610/RABe 503 for Cisalpino, which operated cross-border connections between Switzerland and Italy. Alstom promotes these models under the New Pendolino designation.

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

The ETR 610 / RABe 503, often called the Cisalpino Due, distinguishes itself from the ETR 600 by accommodating Swiss and German voltage and signaling systems. This adaptation necessitates heavier onboard traction transformers due to the lower traction power frequency of 16.7 Hz used in these countries, compared to the standard 25 kV 50 Hz AC supply elsewhere. These trains incorporate refreshed interior and exterior styling consistent with client branding strategies, improved passenger amenities, and upgraded technical features such as enhanced traction power and increased redundancy of components to improve reliability. They meet updated interoperability standards including passive impact safety requirements.

Early trials showed that the ETR 610 was excessively heavy for the Gotthard route between Zurich and Milan, restricting cornering speed and reducing the benefits of tilting technology. This led to skepticism among some officials about the project's usefulness. Although initially scheduled to launch in December 2007 alongside the opening of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel, its debut was postponed multiple times until revenue service finally began in August 2009. The train serves international routes connecting Switzerland and Italy, including a daily Frankfurt–Milano service via the Gotthard Base Tunnel with return trips through Simplon and Lötschberg tunnels.

Following refurbishment in 2018, the fleet was renamed Astoro. In January 2023, SBB announced an investment of SFr 120 million ($131.2 million) for comprehensive upgrades aimed at extending operational life by another 15 years. The refurbishment includes component replacements, repainting, and modifications to comply with Swiss accessibility laws.

ED250 (Poland)

On 30 May 2011, Polish State Railways (PKP) entered into an agreement with Alstom for twenty ETR 610 Pendolino units, designated as Pendolino ED250, intended for principal routes such as Gdynia–Warsaw and Kraków/Katowice–Warsaw via the high-speed Central Rail Line (CMK). The initial trainset was delivered on 12 August 2013.

Testing at high speeds mainly took place on the CMK line where on 16 November 2013 the Pendolino reached , establishing a new Polish rail speed record of on the following day—surpassing a record that had stood for nineteen years. Final testing on 24 November recorded maximum speeds up to .

The contract required delivery of eight trainsets by 6 May 2014 with certification for operations at using ETCS Level 2 signaling. However, delays in certification led PKP to impose penalties on Alstom; Alstom contended that ETCS Level 2 was not yet operational in Poland and that CMK employed ETCS Level 1 instead. An agreement was reached in June 2014 allowing phased homologation: initial approval under ETCS Level 1 followed by ETCS Level 2 certification later. Service entry was planned for December 2014.

On 11 September 2014, Poland's Railway Transport Office authorized operation of ED250 units up to according to Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI). By the timetable period of 2020-21, ED250 trains regularly operated at scheduled speeds reaching on routes between Warszawa and Gdynia as well as along the Central Rail Line. Unlike other Pendolinos, Polish units do not feature tilting technology, which limits their ability to increase speed on curves. In 2020 one trainset derailed during testing in Germany but resulted in no serious injuries.

Avant S-114 (Spain)

The Avant S-114, designated as the RENFE Class 114, represents a four-car configuration within the New Pendolino series. In October 2004, RENFE placed an order for 30 high-speed trains intended for medium-distance service without tilting capabilities; this order was subsequently reduced to thirteen trainsets, complementing the existing Class 104 Pendolino fleet.

The inaugural unit was unveiled in the fall of 2008. RENFE deploys the S-114 trains on high-speed routes connecting Madrid, Segovia, and Valladolid via the Madrid–León high-speed corridor.

ETR 675 (Italy)

The Pendolino EVO ETR 675, operated by the open-access high-speed operator Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori (NTV), forms part of Alstom’s Avelia product line. Unlike certain Pendolino models, the ETR 675 does not incorporate tilting technology but continues to carry the Pendolino name.

In October 2015, NTV secured a €460 million contract for twelve ETR 675 trainsets aimed at expanding its Italo network and extending service coverage. This model’s top speed is approximately 50 km/h lower than that of NTV’s earlier AGV trains. The first ETR 675 was introduced in October 2017 at Milan's Expo Ferroviaria while undergoing certification testing. Subsequently, in November 2017, NTV placed an order for five additional trainsets.

The initial four units of NTV’s total 17 ETR 675 fleet commenced operations on December 7, 2017, running between Rome and Venice. This launch increased daily departures from 56 to 68 and raised overall frequency to 90 trains per day throughout 2018.

CRH5A (China)

China Railway High-speed (CRH) licensed technology from Alstom to locally manufacture 60 high-speed EMU trainsets designated CRH5, derived from the New Pendolino platform. These non-tilting units operate primarily in northern and eastern regions of China. Further procurement included an additional 30 sets in 2009 and another 20 in 2010, completing the current fleet composition.

Technical characteristics

Seven-car formation: four powered cars, three trailers
Track gauge:
Electrical system:
- ETR 600 (Trenitalia): supports both 3 kV DC and 25 kV AC
- ETR 610 (Trenitalia and Swiss Federal Railways): compatible with 3 kV DC, 25 kV AC, and 15 kV (16.7 Hz) AC
Coach length: ; overall train length:
Width:
Maximum axle load: with passengers onboard
Weight: ; typical load including passengers:
Maximum operating speed:
Installed power output:
Seating capacity: accommodates 430 passengers plus two wheelchair spaces
Electro-hydraulic system enabling tilting
HVAC system designed with redundancy for reliability

Numerous Pendolino trains are equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2; certain models such as the Swiss ETR 610 also integrate SCMT, ZUB, LZB, and Integra-Signum systems to ensure interoperability on lines without ETCS.

External links

Pendolino – Alstom