Hitachi Rail has completed the first phase of its production of the so-called tribrid train – the Masaccio train – at its factory in Pistoia, near Florence, are operating on routes across the length and breadth of Italy.
The completion of 20 trains, branded as ‘Blues’ by Trenitalia, marks the first tranche of an order that sits as part of a EUR 1.23 billion framework agreement with Trenitalia for up to 135 trains that will run across Sicily, Sardinia, Calabria, Tuscany, Lazio and Friuli Venezia Giulia.
The Masaccio’s cutting-edge hybrid technology allows the train to seamlessly draw from battery, electric, hybrid and diesel power. While Hitachi Rail already uses diesel-electric hybrid technology, pioneered on the UK’s Intercity Express fleets, this is the first time batteries have been deployed as a major power source on a train fleet for commercial use anywhere in Europe. The ability to recharge while in service using the pantograph or traction motors means it can deliver seamless green journeys without cutting availability.
Offering more sustainable rail travel, and with compatibility with other European railways, the tribrid train reduces carbon emissions and fuel consumption by 50% vs standard diesel trains. By running on battery power when traveling through non-electrified urban areas, the train can eliminate emissions, including harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx), while also reducing noise pollution.
The Masaccio train’s DAS (Driver Advisory System) also helps cut emissions by identifying the optimal speed for timetable reliability and the reduction of energy consumption. In a further boost for sustainability, Masaccio trains are made with 93% recyclable materials.
For Italy’s, as well as Europe’s non-electrified lines, the Masaccio trains offer an immediate solution to help decarbonise European passenger rail transport. In Italy there are more than 4,000 km of track that are not electrified, with more than 10,000 of km n across Europe.
The long-term case for battery trains is especially strong on branch lines or in areas where geographical or topological features make electrification very hard to achieve. The battery power provides the Masaccio trains with added power and acceleration to tackle tough gradients, while the flexibility of the design allows the interior customisation to suit everything from high density commuter journeys to offering more space for leisure equipment, like snowboards or mountain bikes.
“The roll-out of our cutting-edge Masaccio battery train marks an important step in our efforts to decarbonise European rail. With around 40% of regional lines across the continent remaining un-electrified, battery hybrid technology can have an immediate impact,” Luca D’Aquila, CEO of Hitachi Rail Italy, said.
In Italy, the tribrid train is helping cut carbon emissions by 50% compared to existing diesel services. The Masaccio train has been unveiled at InnoTransport 2022 in Berlin and has been designed to be suitable for railways across Europe. The trains are built at a Europe-wide gauge and with ERTMS digital signalling included onboard as standard.
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