CAF Completes ATR 465 Test at 150 km/h on Sardinia Route

SARDINIA, ITALY – The FS Group, the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, and CAF completed trial runs of the new ATR 465 diesel multiple unit on the Cagliari–Olbia–Cagliari line in 2025. The train hit a maximum speed of 150 km/h during a non‑stop journey that lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes, with no other traffic on the route. The tests verify safety, reliability, and technical performance as the active‑tilting trains move toward commercial service.

What Are the Technical Specifications?

The ATR 465 is a CAF‑manufactured DMU equipped with an active tilting system that allows it to negotiate curves at speeds up to 20% higher than conventional trains, without compromising passenger comfort. The test run covered the full Cagliari–Olbia‑Cagliari route without intermediate stops, operated by Trenitalia personnel, and was overseen by Italcertifer as the testing authority. The infrastructure adaptations and certification processes, funded under a framework agreement between the Region and Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), involved an investment of more than €50 million.

Key Technical Data

Where Does This Technology Stand in the Market?

The ATR 465 belongs to a small family of tilting diesel multiple‑units. Sardinia already operates active tilting trains—the Alstom ATR 220 fleet, introduced in 2005, which raised curve speeds beyond the limits of conventional stock. The shift to CAF brings a different tilting architecture; CAF’s active tilting has already been proven on the UK Class 397 Civity EMUs (TransPennine Express). Competing products are scarce: Stadler’s FLIRT tilting units serve Switzerland’s RhB narrow‑gauge network, and Japan has tilting DMUs for mountainous lines. Italy’s wider €100 billion rail investment plan for 2025–2029 is focused on high‑speed corridors (Source: Italy’s Strategic Plan 2025‑2029), while island regional lines depend on targeted programmes such as this €50 million infrastructure package. The number of ATR 465 units ordered and their seating capacity have not been disclosed by the Region or CAF.

Editor’s Analysis

Sardinia’s decision to deploy active tilting on the Cagliari–Olbia route is a pragmatic answer to a curving alignment that would be prohibitively expensive to rebuild. The €50 million infrastructure spend, however, is a fraction of the €100 billion national high‑speed programme, highlighting a persistent funding gap between mainline corridors and island networks. The move from Alstom to CAF also signals a shake‑up in the island’s rolling‑stock supply chain, potentially affecting long‑term maintenance and spares strategies.

FAQ

Q: What is the ATR 465 train?
A: The ATR 465 is a diesel multiple unit built by CAF for Sardinia, featuring active tilting that enables it to take curves at speeds up to 20% higher than non‑tilting trains. It is intended to replace older Alstom ATR 220 tilting units on the Cagliari–Olbia run.

Q: How much will the new train reduce travel time?
A: The non‑stop test took 2 hours 15 minutes, but commercial schedules have not been published. The tilting system allows faster curve negotiation, so a time saving over the current timetable is expected.

Q: When will the ATR 465 enter passenger service?
A: No official entry‑into‑service date has been announced. A further round of testing is scheduled for September (year unspecified), followed by final evaluation and authorisation stages before passenger operations can begin.