Sustainable rail transport is on the horizon for the Chemins de Fer de Provence (CP), following the contract signing by Région Sud and Stadler for the delivery of eight hybrid-powered multiple units. The vehicles, customised for CP’s narrow-gauge network, feature battery technology, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 77 per cent. They will be manufactured in Bussnang.
The French railway company Chemins de Fer de Provence (CP) and Stadler are paving the way for more environmentally friendly railway operations between Nice and Digne-les-Bains. The two companies have signed a contract for the delivery of eight two-car metre-gauge multiple units. This is one of Stadler’s largest orders for the French market.
Success also on the Italian narrow-gauge market
Stadler has already sold standard-gauge battery trains of the Flirt Akku type to Germany, Denmark and Austria, and the Swiss manufacturer has already sold narrow-gauge battery and hybrid trains to Italy and other countries in recent years. This also includes nine hydrogen multiple units for Calabria with 950 mm track gauge.
Ferrovie della Calabria (FdC) and Stadler signed a contract for the delivery of three diesel-electric metre-gauge multiple units at the end of March. This new order brings the total number of multiple units ordered by FdC to 12, including the nine hydrogen-powered ordered over the last two years. Improving the overall efficiency and sustainability of the regional transport in Calabria, the new fleet of trains will serve the Cosenza – Catanzaro route. They will be manufactured at Stadler’s headquarters in Bussnang and will enter commercial service at the beginning of 2027.
Stadler’s first breakthrough in the tailormade sector in Italy was in 2007 with the signing of the first framework agreement with FdC. This was for the supply of diesel-electric metre-gauge trains with rack and pinion drive. Based on this first project, Stadler has since developed further variants for the railway operators Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL) in Apulia and Basilicata, Azienda Regionale Sarda Trasporti (ARST) in Sardinia and Società Subalpina di Imprese Ferroviarie (SSIF) in Piedmont.
Renewal of the CP diesel fleet
The vehicles are replacing CP’s diesel legacy fleet and are equipped with a hybrid drive. The more environmentally friendly trains will be used on the 150-kilometre-long narrow-gauge line between Nice and Digne-les-Bains in the urban area of Nice. The metre-gauge multiple units run on battery power, while the hybrid drive comprises battery and a biodiesel-powered engine for use in rural areas. The hybrid drive significantly reduces CO2 emissions by up to 77 per cent compared to a diesel vehicle. A charging station for the battery is being built in Nice. The customised trains are 40 metres long and can carry around 180 passengers. They are manufactured at the Stadler plant in Bussnang in northeast Switzerland.
Technical data
- Customer: Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Strecke Nizza – Digne
- Network length: 151 km
- Gauge: 1’000 mm
- Minimum curve radius: 100 m
- Vehicle type: BEMU Bem 4/8
- Propulsion system: Diesel / Batterien
- Number of trains: 8
- Start of service: 2028
- Number of seats: 86
- Number of standees: 98
- Total train capacity: 184
- Vehicle length: 39’874 mm
- Width: 2’500 mm
- Height: 3’900 mm
- Wheelbase of Bogie: 2’000 mm BoM / 1700 mm BoP
- Wheel Diameter BoM: 810 mm
- Wheel Diameter BoP: 705 mm
- Maximum Axle Load: 14t
Maximum Power at Wheel: 800 kW - Starting Tractive Effort: 120 kN
- Maximum Speed: 100 km/h
