Stadler has signed a contract with Ferrovie della Calabria (FdC) for the supply of three diesel-electric metre-gauge multiple units.
The agreement, finalised at the end of March, marks a continued partnership between the Swiss rolling stock manufacturer and the Italian railway operator. This latest order increases the total number of Stadler trains purchased by FdC to 12 and contributes to the broader expansion of customised rail solutions in Italy.
This latest contract means that Stadler has sold more than 100 tailormade trains in Italy.
The newly ordered multiple units will operate on the Cosenza–Catanzaro route, a key regional corridor in Calabria. Manufactured at Stadler’s Bussnang headquarters, the trains are expected to enter commercial service at the beginning of 2027.
The contract follows previous orders from FdC, which included nine hydrogen-powered trains commissioned over the past two years.
The introduction of these vehicles is part of an effort to improve efficiency and sustainability in Calabria’s rail transport system. Diesel-electric technology provides operational flexibility, particularly for networks that are not fully electrified.
Stadler has developed metre-gauge multiple units specifically for the Italian market, considering the infrastructure constraints and operational requirements of different railway operators. The trains are designed with a low axle weight and compact dimensions to navigate tunnels and track configurations unique to the network.
The company offers a range of propulsion options within this portfolio, including diesel-electric, battery, and hydrogen-powered solutions. Certain variants also feature rack-and-pinion drive systems to accommodate steep gradients, making them suitable for diverse rail environments across Italy.
Maurizio Oberti, Stadler’s Marketing & Sales Director for Italy said:I am delighted that we have sold more than 100 tailormade trains in Italy and can further expand our presence in this important market. This is a great milestone and I would like to congratulate the entire Stadler team. These projects are particularly complex and require intensive collaboration with our customers as well as specific expertise and teamwork.
Stadler first entered the Italian market in 2007 with a framework agreement to supply diesel-electric metre-gauge trains to FdC. Since then, the company has delivered rolling stock to other regional operators, including Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL) in Apulia and Basilicata, Azienda Regionale Sarda Trasporti (ARST) in Sardinia, and Società Subalpina di Imprese Ferroviarie (SSIF) in Piedmont.
