The ETR.470 "Treno Zero" was a prototype composed of three coaches:
BAC: motorized head unit;
BB: motorized middle unit;
BB: non-motorized trail unit.



It was equipped with a pantograph for the Swiss network and another for the Italian network.

Initially, it was painted in Cisalpino colors. Later, following the purchase of 3x units by the Slovenian Railways (SŽ), classified as Class 310, it received the same SŽ livery for promotional purposes.

It underwent an extensive testing program in Switzerland as a prelude to the introduction of the ETR.470 trains. The primary focus was on adjusting the AC power supply and tilting control system, crucial for navigating Switzerland’s numerous tight curves. Due to the country’s steep inclines and declines, the traction and braking systems required close monitoring. Additionally, the train’s interference effects on signaling systems were examined, with special attention to train control systems, which had to integrate Italian, Swiss, and even German infrastructure.

Reports indicate that the several-month-long testing and pre-operation phase revealed no major issues. However, concerns were raised about the train’s basic technical standards, modest comfort, and suboptimal braking performance. Infrastructure along the operating routes—including signals, speed monitoring systems, and overhead lines—had to be adjusted accordingly.

The train was also used for ERTMS (ETCS) tests before eventually being decommissioned and stored near Alstom’s (formerly Fiat Ferroviaria) facility in Savigliano, Italy.  

Sources: https://www.hochgeschwindigkeitszuege.com/italien/etr-470-cisalpino.php

ETR.470 "Treno Zero" during a test drive in Lausanne in the Cisalpino livery.

Sources: bahnbilder.de & rail-pictures.com

Other pictures from the same year during testing on the Lausanne - Geneva line:

Source: forum.3rails.fr

Source: forum.3rails.fr

Source: forum.3rails.fr

Source: forum.3rails.fr

Source: forum.3rails.fr

Source: forum.3rails.fr

Source: forum.3rails.fr

Source: forum.3rails.fr

View all 12 photos in the photo gallery

 

Sources: https://www.bahnbilder.de/bild/Schweiz~Unternehmen~Cisalpino+AG/1354121/der-cisalpino-etr-470-8222treno-zero8220.html, https://forum.3rails.fr/t/quelques-archives-ferroviaires/13669/11

ETR.470 "Treno Zero" during testing in Italy:

Source: suedbahnmuseum.at

Throughout the year, FIAT continued promoting the Pendolino in other European countries: an intensive test program with the ETR.470 "Treno Zero" was carried out in Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, the Czech Republic and Hungary.  

Sources: https://www.suedbahnmuseum.at/at/blog/eine-suedbahnreise, https://www.byterfly.eu/islandora/object/librib:948401/datastream/PDF/content/librib_948401.pdf

Sources: https://www.vlaky.net/zeleznice/spravy/8033-Konec-jedne-ikony-jugoslavskych-stejnosmernych-trati/

Sources: https://www.vlaki.info/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1252

ETR.470 "Train Zero" during a test drive in Firenze Campo di Marte railway station in Italy:

Source: trainspo.com  

Sources: https://trainspo.com/photo/44170/

ETR.470 "Treno Zero" is spotted next to the Alstom factory in Savigliano (Italy):

Sources: trainspo.com & trainspo.com  

Automatic translation. Original text in: EN - show original ETR.470 "Treno Zero" is spotted next to the Alstom factory in Savigliano (Italy):

Sources: trainspo.com & trainspo.com / Sources: https://trainspo.com/photo/103682/, https://trainspo.com/photo/49990/

Sources: https://www.e-periodica.ch/cntmng?pid=sxp-001%3A2012%3A0%3A%3A260