The “Pendolino” train to Venice will be replaced in 2014

“Pendolino” is a registered trademark for a railcar developed by Fiat, featuring electro-hydraulic “TILTRONIX” tilting technology. These railcars can lean into curves much like a motorcycle—or, more precisely, tilt sideways as they go around a curve. This technology allows Pendolino trains to travel through curves faster, since their speed does not need to be reduced as much as that of conventional trains without tilting technology. This results in shorter journey times. While this is an advantage for passengers travelling to Venice, the Pendolino tilting train is soon no longer viable because it is so prone to breakdowns.

This also avoids the need for costly, complex modifications to the track bed. Development and testing took place in the early 1970s. The Pendolino operates not only in Italy, but was also exported to other EU countries. Today, the Pendolino is in its fourth generation. In February 2011, an Italian Pendolino used by Deutsche Bahn for testing derailed at Trier Central Station. Other manufacturers later adopted the tilting technology as well. ICE trains, among others, also used this technology.

It has now been decided that the ETR 610 will replace the ETR-470 in about three years. At that point, the service from Milan to Venice will also be discontinued. However, passengers will have alternative options for continuing their journey to Venice. Although they will have to change trains in Milan in three years’ time, other train connections from Milan to Venice are expected to be available.

The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) had to invest a further 12 million Swiss francs to keep the ETR-470 “Pendolino” trains in service until the end of 2014. (ETR is the Italian abbreviation for “ElettroTreno Rapido,” meaning “electric express train.”) The trains are still needed for the time being.