Phase one of the production and deployment of Hitachi Rail's tri-mode Masaccio trains for use in Italy is now complete.
Twenty of these units, built at the Hitachi Rail factory in Pistoia as "Blues" trains for Trenitalia, have now been successfully produced by the manufacturer.
With this accomplishment, the first phase of a 1.23 billion EUR order for up to 135 trains of this sort that will travel through Sicily, Sardinia, Calabria, Tuscany, Lazio, and Friuli Venezia Giulia has been completed.
With the addition of batteries to electric and diesel power, these trains are the first in Europe to employ batteries as a primary power source. The batteries' ability to recharge while being used by the pantograph or traction motors enables this.
Hitachi claimed that by implementing this technology, the Masaccio trains would consume 50% less fuel and emit 50% less carbon dioxide than conventional diesel trains. The DAS (driver advisory system), which determines the best speed for each train for timetable dependability and energy consumption reduction, is another method used to achieve this decrease.
More than half of European trains are now fueled exclusively by diesel fuel, and only about 40% of lines are electrified. This approach tries to address these issues.
Hitachi intends to provide an instant solution that will aid in the decarbonization of passenger train services because electrifying these operating lines would be expensive and disruptive.
Hitachi Rail Italy's CEO and chief operating officer, Luca D'Aquila, stated:
"We have made significant progress toward decarbonizing European rail with the introduction of our state-of-the-art Masaccio battery train.
Battery hybrid technology can have an immediate impact because 40% of regional lines on the continent are still not electrified. The tribrid Blues train is reducing carbon emissions in Italy by 50% when compared to current diesel services. We are aware that consumers are giving their travel choices more consideration in terms of sustainability. With the help of trains like the Masaccio, we can guarantee that everyone in Europe has access to quick, comfortable, and clean rail travel.
Prior to the first unit beginning passenger service in December, the Masaccio platform made its debut at InnoTrans 2022.
The European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) digital signaling is embedded into the trains, which are constructed at a gauge that is common throughout Europe.
#Hitachi
