Italian power heads

Bombardier Transportation has received an order from Trenitalia (Italian Railways) for the upgrade of 60 ETR 500 electric power-heads in a deal worth approximately $43 million (€35 million).

The upgrade consists of modifying 60 power-heads, which were produced in 1992 by the consortium Trevi (of which Bombardier is also a member). The modification will enable the power-heads, which are currently adapted to operate solely on high-speed lines, to operate on the conventional network when coupled with standard intercity coaches.

Moreover, the power-heads will receive a new on-board signalling system as well as electrical and mechanical modifications to enable the coupling with the standard coaches. This upgrade will enable Trenitalia to couple a set of two power-heads to a maximum of 14 standard coaches, thereby creating 30 new intercity trains, ready to travel at top speeds of about 200 Km/h.

Bombardier will be responsible for the project design and engineering, material and equipment supply for all power-heads and supervision and commissioning of the first two power-heads. The production works will be carried out by Trenitalia at its Foligno facilities.