Caravaggio is a new high-capacity double-deck regional train being manufactured by Hitachi Rail Italy.
The vehicle will consume 30% less energy, have low noise emissions, and recover electricity during braking.
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Hitachi Rail Italy and Ansaldo STS unveiled the design and details of the train at EXPO Ferroviaria in Italy.
Production of the new double-deck regional train commenced in January 2017 and homologation tests for the first train were initiated in April 2018.
Orders and deliveries
Hitachi received a €333m ($368m) contract from Trenitalia for building 33 trains, each with a five-car configuration, in June 2016. The trains, branded as Rock, are scheduled to start commercial operations in mid-2019.
The contract also includes an agreement for building up to 300 regional trains for approximately €2.6bn ($2.87bn). The fleet will be used for operations across Italy’s regional network spanning more than 16,000km.
Hitachi and FNM signed an eight-year framework contract for up to 120 double-deck trains starting with the first firm order of 30 four-car trains, which will be delivered in 2020.
Caravaggio double-deck regional train design and features
The train integrates modern and reliable features, including technology, comfort and safety. It can be configured into either four or five cars based on the customer requirement.
It will feature innovative architecture, lightweight alloy enclosures, and traction engines distributed along the compartment, which will provide ample space for passengers.
The 136.8m-long Caravaggio train will have a width of 2.8m, a height of 4.3m from top of the rail, and gauge of 1.43m. The wheelbase of the bogie will be 2.6m, while the wheel diameter will be 0.92m.
It will have the capacity to accommodate a maximum of 656 passengers in different seating types such as standard, priority and flip-up seats. The vehicle will also feature a dedicated space for bicycles and electric sockets for recharging e-bikes.
The vehicle will have a total of ten doors, as well as one standard and one reduced mobility toilet.
Caravaggio train interiors
The Caravaggio train will have a staircase placed above the bogie areas. All the compartments will have wide windows for improved outdoor views and luggage storage areas.
Doors will be installed with a movable step, which eliminates the gap between the platform and the vehicle. The manual ramp is designed for passengers with reduced mobility.
The train will feature ergonomic eco-friendly leather seats, designed to provide increased comfort. Traction components will be placed on the upper part of the box, enabling optimal utilisation of interior space by passengers.
It will also be equipped with a high-performance air-conditioning system, which optimises energy consumption based on the number of passengers on board.
Technology and safety equipment
The vehicle will be installed with the state-of-art European Railway Traffic Management System / European Train Control System (ERTMS / ETCS) safety system, which improves safety standards and traffic capacity. It will also be equipped with side and front cameras and smart surveillance with anomalous behaviour detection.
Passengers will be able to charge their mobile phones or laptops with the USB sockets. The trains will also feature LED lighting, Wi-Fi, passenger information system, energy meters, and passenger counter.
Propulsion
When operating in DC mode, the train will require a 3kV power supply and maximum traction power of 3,400kW. It will operate at a maximum speed of 160km/h and will have an acceleration of more than 1m/sec².
