(04.10.2013)
Alstom hat zusammen mit den italienischen Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) gestern Abend und heute das 25. Jubiläum des Hochgeschwindigkeitszuges Pendolino im Mailänder Bahnhof Milano Centrale gefeiert. Seit der Inbetriebnahme des ersten Zuges im Jahre 1988 wurden weltweit insgesamt 492 Pendolino-Züge verkauft. Die jüngsten Bestellungen wurden von Bahnbetreibern aus der Schweiz, Russland, China und Polen getätigt. Im Werk Savigliano werden zur Zeit die Züge der polnischen Staatsbahnen PKP und der Schweizer Bundesbahnen SBB gefertigt.
Alstom and Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), the holding company that manages infrastructure and services on the Italian rail network, today celebrated the 25th anniversary of Pendolino at Milan's Central Station in Italy. On this special occasion, two Pendolino models were presented; the ETR 401, the first prototype produced in 1974 at Alstom's Savigliano factory in Italy, today a centre of excellence for high-speed trains, and the ETR 450, the first model to enter commercial service in 1988 on the Milan to Rome line.
To mark the special event, Alstom, represented by Pierre-Louis Bertina, Managing Director of Alstom Transport Italy, offered the original patent1 of the first model to the FS Foundation2 represented by Mauro Morretti, Managing Director of the Italian railways.
Part of Alstom's high-speed train offer, Pendolino is designed to run at up to 250 km/h on both high-speed and conventional lines. With around 500 trains sold worldwide, Pendolino is the world's best-selling high speed train. Pendolino is certified to operate in 13 countries (including cross-border journeys).
Its success rests on its modularity and flexibility. Pendolino can be fully customised from interior layout to the number of cars (3 to 11), voltage power supply, gauge and suspension. It offers flexible configurations, allowing all passengers to travel comfortably, thanks to its catering facilities and areas for children, wide corridors and gangways offering optimal accessibility and comfort, passenger information systems, and large panoramic windows allowing passengers to benefit from natural light and enjoy the scenery.
Pendolino can be operated under extreme climate conditions (up to 45° and -45°C). It is also available with Tiltronix, Alstom's tilting technology, which enables the train to tilt by up to 8 degrees and still run at 250 km/h, allowing it to travel 30 to 35% faster than conventional trains.
Pendolino is mainly produced at Alstom's Savigliano factory in Italy.
Its first entry into commercial service dates from 1988 with a total of 492 Pendolino trains sold worldwide - including 65 in Italy - representing 85% in exports. Pendolino has recently been ordered by Russian, Chinese, Swiss and Polish operators. The Savigliano factory is currently executing contracts for PKP (Poland) and SBB (Switzerland).
