ETR.450 | TrainsDepot.org

The ETR.450 is a high-speed tilting electric train produced by Fiat Ferroviaria, entering service on the Rome-Milan route of the Italian railway network during the summer schedule of 1988. It is a direct evolution of earlier models, specifically the FIAT Y 0160 prototype and the ETR.401, the world’s first train to operate regularly with variable axis technology.

Built in a blocked convoy configuration of nine elements, the ETR.450 reaches a maximum speed of 250 km/h, powered by direct current at 3 kV, with engines distributed throughout the convoy design (two per box, excluding the trailer). This advancement allows Italy to become the second European country to operate trains exceeding 200 km/h for scheduled services. It significantly reduces travel time between Rome and Milan from 4 hours and 55 minutes to 3 hours and 58 minutes, originally offering exclusive first-class service. Early operational challenges are noted in media reports; however, data from the first six years indicate a failure rate of only 0.78 failures per million kilometers, marking substantial improvement over earlier models.

The ETR.450 retains the external design of the ETR.401, but incorporates various technical innovations derived from prior experiments. A key advancement is the shift from traditional rheostatic regulation to an electronic fractionator drive for continuous speed regulation, while the pendulum system, featuring electro-hydraulic drives, sees a reduction in amplitude from 10 to 8 degrees.

As service expands during the 1988-1989 winter timetable, additional trains are introduced to facilitate routes to Turin and Naples, increasing train composition to eight elements and offering a total of 340 seats. The following years witness further enhancements, including the addition of a central towed carriage in 1990-1991, raising capacity to 386 seats. From 1991, the ETR.450 begins to operate fast services on popular weekend routes, still maintaining an exclusive first-class service initially.

Sources: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elettrotreno_FS_ETR.450

1993

By the summer of 1993, in response to market demand, the ETR.450 introduces a second-class service, resulting in a new total capacity of 390 seats, divided into 172 first-class and 218 second-class seats. However, with the launch of the modern ETR.460 in the winter schedule of 1994/95, the ETR.450 begins a phased replacement, particularly on the Milan-Rome route. The transition to the Eurostar Italia* fleet occurs in 1997, leading to subsequent efforts in interior restyling to enhance passenger comfort through improvements in seating, air conditioning, and lighting systems.

*Eurostar Italia was a service category operated by Trenitalia until December 2012. It initially designated high-speed and premium intercity trains connecting major Italian cities, primarily Milan and Rome, and later expanded to include other routes such as Rome - Ravenna and Rome - Reggio Calabria. Introduced in 1997, it replaced the Pendolino category and was used for various tilting and high-speed trains, particularly those employing ETR 460, ETR 480, and ETR 485 trainsets. In June 2012, the Eurostar AV category was eliminated and fully rebranded as Frecciarossa and Frecciargento, while the remaining Eurostar Italia trains - mainly those on Rome - Ravenna and Rome - Reggio Calabria routes - continued to operate under the name until December 2012. These services, despite being similar in speed to Frecciabianca, had different onboard offerings and were priced accordingly. With the introduction of the 2012 winter schedule, all remaining Eurostar Italia services were reclassified as Frecciabianca, marking the end of the Eurostar Italia brand in Italy’s railway network.

Sources: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elettrotreno_FS_ETR.450, https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurostar_Italia

2000s

Entering the early 2000s, the technology of the ETR.450 becomes increasingly outdated, particularly with the lack of gyroscopic detection devices. Consequently, the pendulum system is deactivated in June 2004, resulting in a reduction of maximum speed to 200 km/h. Operational use on the Rome-Milan route ceases in January 2007, although the train continues to serve routes such as Rome-Ancona and Rome-Taranto. The ETR.450 later participates in the TrenOk experiment, a low-cost railway service initiated in 2004, but its utilization on these routes declines rapidly. By the winter of 2010/2011, the trains experience frequent malfunctions attributed to inadequate maintenance and outdated equipment, prompting the suspension of general revisions in January 2013, which leads to the gradual sidelining of the ETR.450 units.

Sources: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elettrotreno_FS_ETR.450

2013

October 3

On October 3, 2013, a commemorative event is held in Milan to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ETR.450, featuring several historical units, including the specially marked ETR 450 10.

Sources: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elettrotreno_FS_ETR.450

2014/15

Unit ETR 450 04 completes its final service on December 9th, 2014, followed by ETR 450 03 on January 6th, 2015. At this date, the entire fleet is officially decommissioned.

By March 31st, 2015, unit ETR 450 04 transitions to the Bologna OGR for restoration, becoming part of the FS Italiane Foundation's historical rolling stock collection, while the rest of the fleet is designated for demolition.

Sources: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elettrotreno_FS_ETR.450

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