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Custom-designed Stadler electric multiple units are beginning to enter passenger service on the Circumvesuviana lines skirting Mount Vesuvius, marking a significant upgrade for one of Italy’s busiest regional rail corridors and a key access route to Pompeii, Herculaneum and the Sorrento coast.
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A long-awaited fleet renewal for the Vesuvian lines
The new trains are part of a multi-year fleet renewal program commissioned by regional operator Ente Autonomo Volturno (EAV) to modernize services on the narrow-gauge network east of Naples. Publicly available information shows that EAV awarded Stadler a framework agreement for up to 60 electric multiple units tailored to the 950-millimetre gauge lines around Mount Vesuvius, with an initial batch of 16 trains scheduled for delivery by mid-2026.
Reports indicate that the first units arrived by sea in Naples and were transferred to EAV’s San Giovanni a Teduccio workshops for final assembly, static checks and dynamic testing on sections of the network and nearby test tracks. Subsequent deliveries have gradually expanded the pre-service fleet, allowing more extensive test runs and operational trials.
Regulatory documentation and company statements show that formal authorization for commercial operation was issued in mid-2026 after months of dynamic tests covering braking performance, onboard systems integration and compatibility with existing infrastructure. With that clearance in place, EAV has begun phasing the new trains into regular timetabled service alongside the older Metrostar and refurbished electric units.
The introduction of the fleet is taking place on a network long associated with overcrowding, service disruption and ageing rolling stock. For daily commuters from the Vesuvian towns as well as the large numbers of tourists heading to archaeological sites, the gradual appearance of new trains on the platforms represents a visible shift in the image and capabilities of the Circumvesuviana.
Design tailored to the shadow of Vesuvius
The Stadler sets have been engineered specifically for the operational and geographical constraints of the Vesuvian lines. Technical material released by the manufacturer highlights a multi-car articulated configuration suited to the tight curves and short station platforms typical of the network, while respecting the reduced 950-millimetre track gauge originally adopted for these routes.
The interior layout is configured for high passenger volumes, with wide doors and generous standing areas to handle peak commuter flows, but also with luggage space that reflects the strong tourism demand to and from Pompeii, Herculaneum, Vico Equense and Sorrento. The vehicles feature full air conditioning, modern lighting and passenger information systems, aiming to offer a noticeably different travel experience from the older trains they will gradually replace.
Accessibility has been a central requirement of the design. The new trains provide low-floor access and level boarding at compatible stations, together with dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and easier movement along the length of the train. These characteristics are intended to make the Vesuvian lines more usable for passengers with reduced mobility, families with strollers and visitors carrying larger luggage.
Externally, the trains carry a livery that aligns with EAV’s visual identity while giving the fleet a contemporary appearance designed to distinguish the renewed service. Their presence on the approach tracks into central Naples and along the coastal sections is set to become a familiar sight in an area where railways are a prominent part of the landscape.
From workshop tests to passenger service
Before entering regular operation, the units underwent an extended testing phase supervised by EAV and a group of certification and engineering firms. Publicly available notices from the operator describe repeated dynamic trials across several lines on the Vesuvian network, often requiring night-time test runs and temporary timetable changes supported by replacement bus services.
These tests examined ride dynamics, braking distances, interaction with existing signalling, and energy consumption patterns on routes characterised by frequent stops and varying gradients. According to published coverage, additional measurements focused on noise and vibration levels, both inside the passenger saloons and externally in densely populated urban sections.
Following the completion of these trials and the granting of authorization for service, the first Stadler-built trains have started to appear on passenger diagrams. Initially, the units are being deployed on selected services to and from Napoli Porta Nolana and Napoli Piazza Garibaldi, with a gradual increase in diagrams as more rolling stock is delivered and staff training progresses.
The phased introduction allows EAV to monitor reliability in real-world conditions and to fine-tune maintenance regimes and spare-parts logistics. At the same time, it creates opportunities to gather passenger feedback on comfort and onboard features, which may inform future adjustments to seating layouts or information systems.
Impacts for commuters, tourists and the wider region
The Circumvesuviana network is a crucial transport spine for eastern Naples and the communities encircling Mount Vesuvius, carrying large numbers of commuters every weekday and acting as a principal public transport link to major archaeological sites. Travel forums and previous media coverage have frequently highlighted the strain on the ageing fleet, with reports of cancellations, overcrowding and long waits during busy seasons.
The progressive entry into service of the Stadler trains is expected to ease some of these pressures by improving fleet availability and enabling more consistent timetables. Newer rolling stock can also reduce the likelihood of in-service failures that disrupt operations across the single-track sections that dominate much of the network.
For international visitors, the modern interiors, air conditioning and clearer audiovisual information are likely to make journeys from central Naples to Pompeii, Herculaneum and Sorrento more predictable and comfortable. This is particularly relevant during the summer months, when high temperatures and dense passenger loads can make travel challenging on older trains.
Regional planners and transport commentators have pointed to the project as part of a broader effort to raise the standard of public transport in Campania. The investment in custom-designed trains for the Vesuvian lines complements ongoing station upgrades and track works, and is seen as a means of strengthening sustainable access to a UNESCO-listed landscape that attracts millions of visitors each year.
Next steps in the fleet rollout
The current deliveries represent only the first phase of a larger modernization program. Framework agreements between EAV and Stadler envisage dozens of trains being supplied over the coming years, with published timelines indicating that the majority of units for the Circumvesuviana should be in service by the middle of the decade if production and approvals proceed as planned.
As additional trains arrive and enter traffic, EAV will be able to progressively retire some of the oldest rolling stock, simplify fleet maintenance and introduce more regular headways on busy routes. This may also create capacity for timetable adjustments in response to shifting demand patterns, particularly during peak tourist seasons and on weekends.
Observers note that the performance of the first units in daily service will be closely watched, both within Campania and by other regional operators considering similar investments in narrow-gauge or geographically constrained networks. The Vesuvian project offers a high-profile example of how custom-specified rolling stock can be used to renew historic lines that continue to play a central role in contemporary mobility.
For now, the sight of the first Stadler trains carrying passengers under the slopes of Mount Vesuvius signals a visible step in the transformation of one of southern Italy’s most distinctive and heavily used rail systems.