Italy: The two retrofitted ALn 668 self-propelled vehicles have been put in operation on the tourist lines Sulmona–Carpinone and Pergola–Fabriano. Designed for a maximum speed of 130 km/h, the railcars can accommodate 68 people seated.
The project has been implemented under the Memorandum of Understanding, signed in 2019 between the national operator FS, Hitachi Rail and Snam, Italy’s energy infrastructure company. The overhaul of the two railcars, produced in the 1980s by the local FIAT, was performed by FS at the Rimini depot. In addition to the interior renewal, FS refurbished the bogies, transmission, engines, and other components.
Presentation of the refurbished ALn 668 railcars powered by liquefied biomethane. Source: Ansa
For its part, Hitachi Rail was in charge of converting the two engines to liquefied biomethane traction. The railcars’ range has been thus increased from 500 to 600 km, and the CO₂ emission level reportedly reduced by 20%. Now it is also possible to power the vehicles with biofuel, which will allow for eliminating the emissions by 80%.
