The Swiss OEM’s narrow-gauge hydrogen units will run across Mount Etna’s volcanic terrain, bringing FCE’s total orders of Stadler trains for the Italian market to 19.

Under the contract, Stadler could supply a further 13 vehicles of the same type. The initial supply order also includes five years of full service and technical spare parts.

The vehicles will be designed and built at Stadler’s Bussnang headquarters and feature a central power pack unit containing the fuel cells and hydrogen tanks.

They will also feature a lightweight design of under 11 tonnes per axle to ensure the trains can run safely on all of FCE’s narrow-gauge lines, which are built for lower-weight rolling stock. Each vehicle will carry a total of 147 passengers.

Specifically, Stadler’s hydrogen-powered trains will run on the Paternó – Randazzo route, which winds through the Etna Nature Park.

“The trains ordered by FCE will contribute to the decarbonisation of Italian rail transport in a new region and expand Stadler’s presence in the Italian market,” explained Maurizio Oberti, Stadler’s Sales & Marketing Director for Italy.

Hydrogen trains have operated on European networks for several years, but recent hydrogen supply constraints and fuel cell shortages, particularly in Germany, have forced some operators, including EVB, to revert to diesel.