The new hybrid Blues train, built by Hitachi Rail for Trenitalia, was presented at the world’s leading rail expo Innotrans held last September in Berlin. Now, this innovative train is being entered into passenger service in Sicily. The total Blues framework agreement with Trenitalia includes the supply of up to 135 trains worth €1.2bn. For Sicily, 22 of the trains will travel in the region.
Thanks to hybrid power (using batteries, diesel and electricity), the train is highly innovative and flexible, ready to travel anywhere and on any railway line. The train can travel with diesel engines on non-electrified lines, with pantographs on electrified lines, and with batteries, where applicable, to travel the last mile on non-electrified lines or while stopping at stations, avoiding the use of fuel. Batteries also help to further improve normal power performance.
“Regional transport is crucial in the decarbonisation process, so we are aware of our role in achieving this important milestone which brings benefits to the world. We hope that with the Blues train, starting today in Sicily and soon in other Italian regions, we can significantly mark the transition from individual to mass mobility, which is greener and safer,” Andrea Pepi, Executive Director Line of business Vehicles Italy, Hitachi Rail.
The train is designed in accordance with sustainability and features a number of eco-friendly solutions, including high levels of recyclability (95%), the use of recycled materials, on-board technologies that minimize energy consumption, such as internal and external LED lighting systems, the smart air conditioning system and the use of Smart Parking.
The Blues train will offer passengers a number of innovative features: it is equipped with an innovative air conditioning system that allows you optimize of consumption according to the actual number of passengers on the train, and of course it is possible to connect a USB or 220V power socket. The trains can reach a maximum speed of 160 km/h with an acceleration of 1.10 m/sec2 and a seating capacity of up to 300 people in a four-cars composition. The minimization of internal steps also contributes to maximum train availability.
