ONE of the highlight exhibits at the outside track area at last month’s InnoTrans was Trenitalia’s Blues multiple-unit. Built by Hitachi Rail in Italy, and based on the manufacturer’s Masaccio platform, Blues is Europe’s first tri-mode – electric, diesel, battery – passenger train.
Trenitalia has ordered up to 135 Blues trains under a €1.2bn framework contract and the first few sets will enter service by the end of the year.
Hitachi Rail says the train will reduce emissions and fuel consumption by 50% compared with diesel trains and CEO, Mr Andrew Barr, is now targeting the rapid replacement of diesel engines with batteries. “I believe that batteries are the best alternative way of powering rolling stock,” he says, referring to hydrogen traction “as not yet credible,” although Hitachi is trialling the technology in Japan in cooperation with Toyota.
As well…