Hydrogen at the Foot of Etna: Stadler Brings Zero-Emission Trains to Sicily

Stadler is strengthening its presence in Italy, as company representatives have signed their first contract with Ferrovia Circumetnea (FCE) for the development and supply of two hydrogen-powered narrow-gauge trains.

"It is a great pleasure for us to carry out this project and produce the first two hydrogen narrow-gauge trains for Sicily. The trains ordered by FCE will contribute to decarbonising Italian rail transport in a new region while expanding Stadler’s presence on the Italian market. We thank FCE for their trust and for joining us as part of the Italian Green Technology team," said Maurizio Oberti, Stadler’s Director of Sales and Marketing for Italy.

Stadler Signs Contract for Hydrogen-Powered Trains in Sicily //t.co/E2xnZZ4VPW

— Railway Supply (@RailwaySupply) October 9, 2025

The contract between Stadler and FCE for the delivery of two hydrogen narrow-gauge trains was signed during the EXPO Ferroviaria 2025 international rail exhibition in Milan. The agreement, following FCE’s public tender, also includes an option to expand the delivery by an additional 13 trains of the same type. The supply of the first two trains also covers a five-year service contract for full maintenance and technical spare parts.

Technical Specifications of the New Stadler Trains

The new hydrogen units will be designed and manufactured in Bussnang, Switzerland, at Stadler’s headquarters in the canton of Thurgau. Each train will consist of two passenger cars and a central Power Pack module containing fuel cells and hydrogen tanks.

The trains will feature 87 seats and a total capacity of 147 passengers. Their low-floor design will facilitate easy access for passengers with reduced mobility and seniors. The interior will include a universal PRM toilet, as well as dedicated spaces for bicycles and prams. Thanks to an exceptionally low axle load below 11 tonnes, the trains will be able to operate across FCE’s entire narrow-gauge network.

Hydrogen Trains in the Heart of Sicily’s Etna Park

Special attention was given to the traction system design to ensure that the trains can handle the steep gradients characteristic of the Circumetnea line. Static converters and traction batteries are mounted above the motor bogies, providing excellent adhesion and stable performance even in adverse weather conditions.

The new hydrogen trains will operate on the Paternò–Randazzo route, which runs through the scenic Etna Natural Park near Catania, Sicily’s second-largest city. The FCE order brings the total number of Stadler’s hydrogen narrow-gauge trains for the Italian market to 19 units. Orders have been placed by three customers across three regions: eight units for ARST (Sardinia) and nine for FdC (Calabria). These are the world’s first narrow-gauge trains powered by hydrogen and fuel cells, custom-designed to meet the individual needs of each operator.

RS ZERO: Another Hydrogen Innovation from Stadler

Stadler also showcased its latest hydrogen train, the RS ZERO, at the Rail Business Days 2025 in Ostrava. The zero-emission successor to the legendary RS1 model is designed primarily for non-electrified lines and represents another major step in the decarbonisation of railway transport. The RS ZERO combines hydrogen and battery propulsion, symbolising the transition towards sustainable and modern rail mobility.