Stadler has demonstrated the world’s first hydrogen-powered train specifically designed for narrow-gauge lines.

The demonstration took place at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin, Germany, where the train was presented in collaboration with three rail operators from southern Italy.

Designed for sustainable rail operations in Sardinia, Calabria and Sicily, ten of the hydrogen-powered trains will save more than 2,100 tonnes of CO₂ per year compared to the current diesel trains.

Solar energy will be used to produce the green hydrogen fuel, and the fuel cells and hydrogen tanks are installed in a Power Pack in the central carriage to power the traction batteries.

Energy generated from hydrogen is used to recharge the batteries.

Construction will take place at Stadler’s factory in Bussnang, eastern Switzerland, and 21 of the new trains are on order from Sardinia’s Azienda Regionale Sarda Trasporti (ARST), Ferrovie della Calabria (FdC), and Ferrovia Circumetnea (FCE) in Sicily.

Ten trains are on order for AST, nine trains for FdC, and two for FCE. All are intended for use on regional and local services.

Each train is a bespoke design for the specific characteristics of the different lines and operators, with coastal routes in Sardinia, mountainous terrain in Calabria, and the steep gradients that characterise the Etna Nature Park in Sicily, where the surroundings of Mount Etna are among the country’s most picturesque landscapes.

Hydrogen-powered trains are significantly quieter than diesel trains, benefiting passengers and residents alongside railway lines. The new trains have bright interiors, large panoramic windows, and low-floor access for easy boarding.

In February, a hydrogen-powered shunter was demonstrated on the Severn Valley Railway at Kidderminster, Worcestershire.

“Thanks to close collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and the railway operators ARST, FdC, and FCE, Stadler has developed a modular solution capable of adapting to the diverse requirements of Italy’s narrow-gauge railway networks. All the trains are based on the same technological platform and combine a compact profile, lightweight mechanical structures, and an innovative hydrogen propulsion system. This integration ensures high standards of performance, innovation, reliability, and sustainability.”

Maurizio Oberti, Sales & Marketing Director for the Italian market, Stadler