Italy’s Red Arrow high speed train debuts
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefA consortium of Bombardier Transportation and AnsaldoBreda on Wednesday, July 3 unveiled what they are describing as “Europe’s fastest commercial speed train”—the Frecciarossa 1000 high speed trainset, which in English translates to “Red Arrow 1000.”
Bombardier hosted the premier of the Frecciarosa 1000 at its Vado Ligure site in Italy. The trainset, an eight-car EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) that can run in single operation and multiple operation of two units, will have a total capacity of 485 across four classes, two additional tip-up seats for passengers with reduced mobility, and a bistro. It is the newest member of the Bombardier ZEFIRO family of high speed trains and is known as the V300ZEFIRO. The prototype will begin homologation test runs on the rail line between Genoa and Savona, which is also connected to the Bombardier Vado Ligure site. Regular passenger service is expected for early 2015.
The V300ZEFIRO is capable of reaching commercial speeds of up to 360 kph (225 mph). During test runs the train will reach speeds in excess of 400 kph (250 mph). “Its advanced high acceleration enables the train to deliver excellent travel times, even on winding routes,” Bombardier says. “It is fully interoperable and will provide cross-border services, taking passengers to other European countries without the need to change trains. It could also be adapted for use on networks in many other countries.”
