10/01/2013
Italy's "Red Arrow" Sets New Speed Standards with Voith Technology
Since March this year the first Frecciarossa trains (Italian for “Red Arrow”) are being delivered. The new ETR 1000 high-speed train from the Bombardier Zefiro series is setting new standards with Voith components: it is designed for 400 km/h and therefore the fastest train in Europe.
A total of 50 such high-speed trains have been ordered by the Italian rail operator Trenitalia from a consortium consisting of Bombardier Transportation and AnsaldoBreda. At Trenitalia, the new train is designated "Frecciarossa 1000,“ modeled on the Frecciarossa 500/ETR 500, which is already in service between Rome and Milan.
Trenitalia is able to serve this main traffic axis with a traveling time of 2:55 hours. With the Frecciarossa1000, this time will be reduced by 40 minutes in future. During normal service, the Frecciarossa 1000 will run at 360 km/h. The necessary drive power in the eight-car trains is provided by proven Voith SE-390 gear units. The prototypes were tested by Voith under extreme conditions. The manufacturer requested heat tests with exterior temperatures of 60 °C, in order to ensure service even in hot regions. AnsaldoBreda will have installed a total of 800 such Voith gear units in the new trains by the end of 2016. This is when all of the 50 Frecciarossa 1000 will have entered service.
For Voith this is already the second high-speed train on the Zefiro platform that is equipped with gear units, front ends and couplers. The Zefiro 380 from Bombardier Sifang, which is already in service in China, also drives with Voith components.
The 202 meter long Italian high-speed trains offer room for up to 600 passengers and feature bistro cars and on-board restaurants. Technically, the Frecciarossa 1000 stands out by its eye-catching aerodynamics that result in low energy consumption. In addition, it is also suitable for multisystem operation and can be run with alternating and direct current. This means that it could also be used for cross-border traffic in Switzerland, Austria and Germany.
Voith sets standards in the markets energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transportation & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith employs more than 42,000 people, generates € 5.7 billion in sales, operates in more than 50 countries around the world and is today one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe.
Trenitalia is able to serve this main traffic axis with a traveling time of 2:55 hours. With the Frecciarossa1000, this time will be reduced by 40 minutes in future. During normal service, the Frecciarossa 1000 will run at 360 km/h. The necessary drive power in the eight-car trains is provided by proven Voith SE-390 gear units. The prototypes were tested by Voith under extreme conditions. The manufacturer requested heat tests with exterior temperatures of 60 °C, in order to ensure service even in hot regions. AnsaldoBreda will have installed a total of 800 such Voith gear units in the new trains by the end of 2016. This is when all of the 50 Frecciarossa 1000 will have entered service.
For Voith this is already the second high-speed train on the Zefiro platform that is equipped with gear units, front ends and couplers. The Zefiro 380 from Bombardier Sifang, which is already in service in China, also drives with Voith components.
The 202 meter long Italian high-speed trains offer room for up to 600 passengers and feature bistro cars and on-board restaurants. Technically, the Frecciarossa 1000 stands out by its eye-catching aerodynamics that result in low energy consumption. In addition, it is also suitable for multisystem operation and can be run with alternating and direct current. This means that it could also be used for cross-border traffic in Switzerland, Austria and Germany.
Voith sets standards in the markets energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transportation & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith employs more than 42,000 people, generates € 5.7 billion in sales, operates in more than 50 countries around the world and is today one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe.