The FS Group and the Region of Sardinia conducted test runs of the new ATR 465 train, manufactured by CAF and purchased by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia. The tests took place on the Cagliari–Olbia–Cagliari route, marking an important milestone before the new DMUs with active tilting technology are introduced into commercial service.
The test were carried out through collaboration between the companies of the FS Group – Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), Trenitalia, and Italcertifer, the Region of Sardinia, and the manufacturer CAF.
During the tests, the train’s safety, reliability, and technical performance were verified along the entire route, which was traveled without intermediate stops and with no other trains in operation. The journey lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes, and the train reached a maximum speed of 150 km/h.
Project representatives emphasize that the time recorded during the tests will not reflect the travel time for commercial service, which will be determined based on the future schedule.
The ATR 465 train is equipped with active tilting technology, which allows it to navigate curves at speeds up to 20% higher than conventional trains, without compromising passenger comfort and safety. This technology is particularly important for Sardinia, where the rail routes have numerous curves, and modernizing the infrastructure is more efficient and less costly than building entirely new lines.
Investments in Sardinia’s Rail Infrastructure
The introduction of the ATR 465 trains is part of a comprehensive program to modernize Sardinia’s railway infrastructure, carried out by the Region of Sardinia and RFI.
The work was funded by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, under a framework agreement with RFI, and involved investments of over EUR 50 million. As part of the project, RFI carried out the technical adaptations to the infrastructure and the certification of the lines required for the operation of the new trains, collaborating with Trenitalia and Italcertifer in the approval process for both the rolling stock and the active tilting system.
Italcertifer coordinated the entire testing campaign in its capacity as the testing authority and conformity assessment body. The company managed the authorization procedures together with ANSFISA (the National Agency for Railway Safety and Road and Highway Infrastructure in Italy) to obtain the necessary authorization to conduct on-track testing and certified the vehicle in accordance with the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs) and national legislation.
Trenitalia has made its workshop facilities available to house the train since September 2025 and has provided the management staff involved in conducting the tests.
The test runs represent a crucial technical step in the authorization process for putting the train into service. Following the successful completion of this phase, a new round of testing will take place in September, followed by the final evaluation stages.
The results obtained will form the basis for the future commercial service on Sardinia’s rail network and will help reduce travel times. At the same time, the success of the tests represents a new step toward aligning the Sardinian rail system with national standards and developing a faster, more efficient, and more competitive network for passengers.
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