Production of the new Rock trains started today. This is the name chosen for the new double-decker regional train that Hitachi Rail Italy is building for Trenitalia (FS Italiane Group), whose new 1-scale mock-up was unveiled today at the Hitachi Rail plant in Pistoia: 1 and construction has started. Present were Renato Mazzoncini, Chief Executive Officer of FS Italiane; Tiziano Onesti, President of Trenitalia; Barbara Morgante, CEO of Trenitalia, and Maurizio Manfellotto, CEO of Hitachi Rail Italy.
The framework agreement signed between Hitachi Rail Italy and Trenitalia provides for the possibility of supplying up to 300 trains for a total amount of approximately 2,6 billion euro. The fleet is part of the new supply of 450 new trains for regional transport, worth a total of 4 billion euros. Composed of 5 carriages, 136 meters long and 2,8 wide, the new Rock train will have a total capacity of 656 passengers (the top of the range in the sector), and 4 motor bogies which will allow it to reach a speed of 160 km/h , with an acceleration greater than 1 m/sec2.
Characterized by light alloy bodies, traction motors distributed along the entire train and large spaces available to passengers, it will allow unique performances on the market in terms of weight per passenger, transport capacity per unit of length, fuel consumption per passenger kilometer ( -30% compared to the most recent vehicles circulating in Italy), and will guarantee diversified interior fittings and equipment in order to respond to the various needs expressed by the client Regions.
With an entirely made in Italy look, the new train represents a generational leap compared to the current double-deck rolling stock in service in Italy, thanks to the technological innovation of its components, the optimization and placement of the traction components on the "imperial" ( the upper part of the case), so as to make the internal spaces fully usable by passengers, who will obtain maximum comfort also thanks to the ergonomic seats in eco-leather.
