Alstom will supply 8 additional New Pendolino trains to SBB, the Swiss federal railway operator

Alstom has been awarded an order from the Swiss federal railway operator, SBB, to supply 8 additional New Pendolino high speed trains that will be added to the existing fleet of 7 trains already owned by SBB. This order, worth around €200 million, is an option of the contract signed in March 2004 between Alstom and Cisalpino, the former joint venture of Trenitalia (Italian railway operator) and SBB. The delivery of the new trains is scheduled for 2015.

SBB will operate the new trains on the lines between Milan and Geneva and between Milan and Zurich.

“We are very pleased that SBB has again shown its confidence in Alstom. This choice clearly demonstrates Alstom’s leadership in tilting technology, allowing high speed trains to run on existing networks and reduced journey times. It is the optimal solution for SBB’s network and its cross-border services”, said Gian-Luca Erbacci, South Europe Senior Vice President of Alstom Transport.

The New Pendolino is equipped with tilting technology, developed by Alstom. This unique technology allows the train to tilt up to 8 degrees in curves while increasing speeds up to 35% higher than conventional trains – all in safety and improved comfort for passengers.

The New Pendolino ordered by SBB is a seven-car trainset that runs at a top speed of 250 km/h. This train, which can accommodate up to 430 passengers, is designed to optimise operating costs over its lifetime. It is equipped with the latest generation of flexible bogies which reduces track wear. In addition, the New Pendolino is 95% recyclable and is equipped with an electrical brake system which recycles up to 97% of power back into the catenary system, enabling up to 8% energy consumption savings.

Particular attention has been paid to noise reduction, externally as well as internally. The train is streamlined to reduce noise through the roof. The design of the trains has been aerodynamically optimised and sound insulation has been increased under the body. In addition, a damping vibration system has been placed on the wheels.

Inside the train, wide corridors and gangways offer optimal accessibility and comfort to passengers. Seats are equipped with individual reading lights, reclining function and electric sockets. They are aligned with the large panoramic windows which allow passengers to benefit from natural light and enjoy the scenery. Video monitors and a video surveillance system ensure maximum safety.

The New Pendolino cross-border trainsets for SBB have been designed to meet the interoperability European standards (TSI) and will be equipped with Atlas – the Alstom European signalling system (ERTMS[1]) – required to operate in Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Austria.

The trains will be manufactured in Alstom’s Savigliano site in Italy, where Pendolino trains have been manufactured for more than 30 years. The other Alstom Transport sites involved are Sesto San Giovanni and Bologna in Italy, Le Creusot, Ornans and Reichshoffen in France, Montreal in Canada, and Neuhausen in Switzerland.

Since the launch of Alstom’s Pendolino in the 1970’s, more than 400 trainsets have been sold in the world, covering over 500 million kilometres in commercial service. Pendolino trains can cross more than 10 borders and soon Austria and Poland will be added to the 11 countries in which they are being operated: Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Slovenia, United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, Finland, China and Russia.