Electric Multiple Unit ALe 803 FS

As to resolve the problems linked to the “new” phenomenon and passenger numbers linked to suburban commuter services, where the daily commuting of workers, students, from the suburbs to the main work and city centre’s, in 1957 the Italian State Railways designed an economical EMU with increased capacity, to be used for short journeys, and capable of accepting a great number of passengers even standing only.  Due to its flexibility and high speed, compared to other normally available transport, the ALE 803 did respond to these requirements of moving  large numbers of passengers, limited to the given short time frame assigned.

The train had a simple but rational interior design, similar to underground trains running in the cities undergrounds. Capable of transporting high numbers of passengers, at speeds of 130 km/hr.

The first running trains entered service in July 1961, and tested initially on the Rome Castelli line, with more than satisfactory results.

The model train has working pantographs linked to a switch allowing the powered unit to either use overhead pick up, or power from the only tracks.

One interesting note on the  version with the red and cream livery, was it’s nickname attributed to it by the railway men of the day, they were known to call it “clockwork orange”.