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| FS Class E464 | |
|---|---|
| Name | E464 |
| Powertype | Electric |
| Builder | AnsaldoBreda, Firema, Bombardier |
| Builddate | 1998–2015 |
| Totalproduction | 556 |
| Wheelarrangement | Bo′Bo′ |
| Maxspeed | 160 km/h |
| Poweroutput | 3,000 kW |
| Operator | Trenitalia, Trenord, Ferrovie Emilia Romagna, NordEst Trasporti |
| Disposition | In service, withdrawn units preserved |
FS Class E464 FS Class E464 is a class of Italian four-axle Bo′Bo′ electric locomotives designed for passenger multiple-unit and push-pull duties on regional and commuter services. Introduced in the late 1990s to replace aging ALe 582 and ALe 724 units, the class became a backbone of Trenitalia regional operations, serving metropolitan networks around Rome, Milan, Naples, and Turin. The design emphasizes modular electronics, regenerative braking, and high reliability for intensive stop-start service on secondary lines.
Design work began in the mid-1990s at Fiat Ferroviaria and Ansaldo Trasporti, with industrial collaboration from Firema Cantieri and later Bombardier Transportation. The team responded to specifications from Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane seeking replacement traction for suburban fleets operating on 3 kV DC networks in Italy. The design borrows concepts from contemporary European projects such as Stadler FLIRT and Siemens Desiro EMUs, focusing on lightweight construction, standardised bogies influenced by Breda practice, and distributed electronic control using components from ABB and Alstom. Prototype testing included runs between Naples Centrale and Caserta and on the Milan suburban lines serving Milano Centrale.
Each locomotive is a Bo′Bo′ configuration with four asynchronous traction motors controlled by IGBT inverters supplied by Ansaldo. The class outputs approximately 3,000 kW continuous power with a maximum speed of 160 km/h, suitable for regional expresses and commuter trains. Electrical systems are optimised for 3 kV DC overhead lines as used across RFI networks, featuring regenerative braking compatible with substations from Enel. Onboard equipment includes Alstom brakes, automatic train protection interoperable with SCMT and optional ERTMS fitments, passenger-access features coordinated with ANSALDOBreda interior standards, and driver cabs influenced by ergonomics studies from Politecnico di Milano.
Production was undertaken by a consortium led by AnsaldoBreda with contributions from Firema and later Bombardier. Over 500 units were constructed between 1998 and 2015 for operators including Trenitalia, Trenord, Ferrovie Emilia Romagna, and regional authorities such as Regione Lombardia. Variants include subseries fitted with enhanced climate control for southern deployments, units equipped for push-pull with Vivalto and Jazz stock, and batches modified for cross-border trials involving ÖBB and SBB signalling compatibility. Limited-number prototypes tested alternative bogie suspensions influenced by research at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia.
The class entered widespread service on suburban and regional corridors, becoming prominent on the Milan Suburban Railway Service and the Rome-Lido lines. Units performed commuter duties on lines radiating from Napoli Centrale and regional expresses linking Bologna and Florence. Operators praised the class for availability and low lifecycle costs when compared to earlier EMUs maintained at depots such as Torino Smistamento and Firenze Campo di Marte. The locomotives also featured in temporary hires to private operators during liberalisation phases overseen by Autorità di Regolazione dei Trasporti and in contractual pooling arrangements with Ferrovie Emilia Romagna.
Throughout service, multiple upgrade programs were implemented in collaboration with Hitachi Rail and local workshops at Ansaldo facilities. Upgrades included installation of ERTMS level 2 onboard units for interoperability trials, retrofitting of LED lighting, refurbishment of driver cabs to meet EU Agency for Railways ergonomics, and software improvements to traction control to reduce wheel wear. Some units received enhanced HVAC and interior adaptations to match new regional multiple-unit standards promoted by Regione Lazio and Regione Campania procurement policies.
A minority of units were involved in notable incidents investigated by Agenzia Nazionale per la Sicurezza delle Ferrovie and local police forces. Investigations cited causes ranging from signalling failures on RFI-managed lines to human factors on routes near Pisa Centrale and Salerno. Corrective actions led to strengthened maintenance regimes at depots such as Milano Smistamento and deployment of additional automatic train protection retrofits across the fleet.
Several withdrawn or damaged units have been earmarked for preservation by heritage groups including associations linked to Museo Nazionale Ferroviario di Pietrarsa and local railway museums in Piacenza and Pistoia. The class influenced subsequent Italian rolling-stock procurements and featured in industry exhibitions at EXPO 2015 and trade fairs organised by FIM. Models of the locomotive have been produced by manufacturers such as Rivarossi and Lima and appear in enthusiast publications and preservationist calendars celebrated by societies like Associazione Italiana Ferrovie.
Category:Electric locomotives of Italy Category:AnsaldoBreda locomotives