Switzerland, Italy: The television programme Rail One has posted footage of the trains in service on its social media channels.
The three- and four-car sets have been working the Vigezzina–Centovalli line since last summer. The 1,000 mm gauge route links Switzerland and Italy. The trains were among the debuts at InnoTrans 2024.
It is pointed to one unusual capability: the units can run in pure adhesion mode, with no rack rail, on gradients of up to 60‰ at speeds of up to 60 km/h, and can negotiate curves with a minimum radius of 42 m. Six of the 12 axles are powered, each traction motor rated at 125 kW. The driving cars have low-floor sections at 450 mm above rail head. One holds two wheelchair bays and a toilet; the other has space for bicycles, pushchairs and other luggage.
Video about narrow-gauge ABe 6/12 EMUs from Stadler in Switzerland and Italy. Source: Rail One
Each unit is built to the relevant operator’s specification, and 12 are due to be delivered. Swiss operator FART has already taken four three-car ABe 6/12 sets (48.9 m, 95 seats) and four four-car ABe 8/16 sets (63.4 m, 128 seats) into service. The remaining four ABe 8/16 sets are to go to the line’s second operator, Italian SSIF; no delivery information on those has surfaced in publicly available sources.
