Stadler signed its first contract with Ferrovia Circumetnea (FCE) last week, which will see the design and supply of two narrow-gauge hydrogen-powered trains.

These vehicles will contribute to sustainability through the landscapes of Mount Etna.

The contract included five years of service and technical spare parts, and has the possibility of further vehicles later down the line.

Stadler will be designing and building them at their headquarters in Switzerland, with each unit consisting of two coaches and a central power pack, which will contain the fuel cells and hydrogen tanks.

The trains will have a low floor to make them more accessible and will be able to carry 147 passengers.

They have considered whether they can run trains on the whole network and will account for the steep gradients on the Circumetnea line.

This order brings Stadler’s narrow-gauge hydrogen trains in the Italian market to 19.

“It is a great pleasure for us to realise this project and build the first two narrow-gauge hydrogen-powered trains for Sicily. The trains ordered by FCE will contribute to the decarbonisation of Italian rail transport in a new region and expand Stadler’s presence in the Italian market. We thank FCE for the trust they have placed in us and for joining us as part of the Italian Green Technology Team”

Maurizio Oberti, Stadler’s Sales & Marketing Director for Italy.