New ATR 465 Hits 150 km/h in Sardinia Network Tests

Sardinia’s long-awaited ATR 465 diesel multiple unit has successfully completed high-speed test runs on the island’s main rail corridor, reaching 150 kilometers per hour between Cagliari and Olbia and signaling a significant upgrade in regional mobility ahead of the peak travel season.

Nighttime trials confirm performance on Cagliari–Olbia corridor

According to publicly available information from Italy’s state rail group and regional transport authorities, the latest test campaign for the ATR 465 took place in the night between 9 and 10 July 2026. The four-car diesel multiple unit ran a full round trip along the Cagliari–Olbia line without intermediate stops or other traffic on the route, completing the journey in approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Reports indicate that the test runs were organized jointly by the Sardinia Region, infrastructure manager Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, operator Trenitalia, certification body Italcertifer and manufacturer CAF. The objective was to verify safety systems, braking performance, acceleration and ride comfort at the upper end of the train’s operating envelope on Sardinia’s standard-gauge network.

Data released in recent coverage of the trials shows that the ATR 465 reached a maximum speed of 150 kilometers per hour, matching design expectations for the platform. The tests form part of the homologation and acceptance process for the unit before it can be admitted to regular commercial service with passengers.

The choice of an overnight testing window minimized disruption on one of the island’s most strategic axes, which connects the regional capital Cagliari with the northeast coast and the ferry gateway at Olbia. It also allowed engineers to run the train at sustained high speed over long sections of line that have been upgraded in recent years to support faster services.

A long journey from delivery to approval

The successful test campaign closes a long chapter for the ATR 465 in Sardinia. The trains, built by Spanish manufacturer CAF as tilting diesel multiple units, were ordered by the region more than a decade ago as part of a package that also included shorter three-car sets designated ATR 365. While the 365 units entered service earlier on regional routes, the larger 465 sets followed a more complex path to full deployment.

Rail industry analyses and past regional documents describe how the ATR 465 units underwent various cycles of testing and storage on the Italian mainland before returning to Sardinia for final approval. For years, transport commentators highlighted the paradox of modern, high-performance trains ordered specifically for the island but not fully exploited on its network, in part because of infrastructure limits and evolving regulatory requirements.

The current high-speed trials between Cagliari and Olbia suggest that those obstacles are now being addressed. Upgrades to signaling, track and safety systems on key sections, combined with a renewed focus on certification, appear to have created conditions for the ATR 465 to operate closer to its intended performance profile on Sardinian rails.

The return of the four-car tilting units also fits into a broader modernization program for the island’s diesel passenger fleet, which now includes Minuetto, Swing, hybrid Blues trains and the earlier ATR 365 sets. The ATR 465 is expected to offer the highest seating capacity within this group, aimed at routes where demand is strongest.

Capacity boost for tourism and everyday travel

With the completion of testing, attention is turning to how the ATR 465 could reshape travel patterns on the island once it enters service. The four-car configuration provides a notable capacity increase compared with the three-car ATR 365 units already operating in Sardinia, making the new train particularly suited to busy seasonal flows.

Tourism statistics for Sardinia in recent years point to sustained growth in arrivals through Cagliari and Olbia, especially during summer months. Travel coverage has frequently highlighted congestion on roads linking airports, ports and coastal resorts, as well as on existing regional rail services. The ATR 465’s higher capacity and faster journey times between the south and northeast of the island are expected to offer a more competitive alternative to long-distance coach or car travel.

For residents, the train’s performance on the Cagliari–Olbia axis could translate into shorter travel times for intercity journeys, connections to long-distance ferries and better access to employment and education opportunities along the corridor. The tilting technology is designed to maintain higher speeds on curves typical of Sardinian lines, which could help narrow the gap between rail and road travel times even where geometric constraints remain.

Regional planning documents on public transport modernization emphasize the goal of strengthening rail’s role as a backbone for sustainable mobility. The ATR 465, with its combination of speed, capacity and diesel traction suited to non-electrified lines, is positioned as a key asset in that strategy while longer-term decarbonization measures, including alternative propulsion technologies, continue to develop.

Integration with Sardinia’s wider rail network

The Cagliari–Olbia corridor serves as the main testbed for the ATR 465, but observers expect the train to be deployed on other sections of Sardinia’s standard-gauge network once full approval is granted. The island’s principal north–south spine and its branches toward Golfo Aranci and other coastal destinations provide several potential diagrams where the four-car sets could operate.

Publicly available network overviews show that Sardinia’s rail system remains entirely non-electrified and predominantly single track, with a mix of upgraded and legacy sections. This context has driven the choice of modern diesel multiple units such as the ATR family, which can deliver higher performance without the need for immediate electrification works.

Transport analysts note that, alongside the state-managed standard-gauge network, Sardinia also maintains a separate narrow-gauge system operated by a different company, where new hydrogen-powered trains are planned for the coming years. The ATR 465 will not operate on those lines, but its entry into service on the main network is seen as complementary to broader efforts to raise rail’s profile across the island.

Operational plans reported in regional mobility programs point to a gradual timetable evolution rather than a sudden overhaul, with the ATR 465 likely to be introduced first on limited services and then progressively expanded as crews, maintenance facilities and scheduling are optimized.

Next steps before passenger service

Despite the successful high-speed tests, a number of procedural steps remain before the ATR 465 can carry paying passengers on Sardinian routes. Final homologation, safety certification and integration into Trenitalia’s fleet management systems are expected to proceed in the coming months, based on the data gathered during the July test runs.

Industry coverage suggests that further dynamic trials may be conducted on additional sections of the network to validate performance under varying gradients, curvature and operating conditions. Training for drivers, onboard staff and maintenance personnel will also be required to ensure the train’s tilting technology and onboard systems are used effectively and safely.

Public communications from the Sardinia Region in recent years have framed the reactivation of the ATR 465 as part of a wider effort to improve the reliability and attractiveness of rail services, particularly for tourists arriving by air or sea. While an exact date for entry into commercial service has not yet been specified in official summaries, the completion of the Cagliari–Olbia tests is being interpreted in transport reporting as a clear sign that the launch phase is approaching.

For travelers planning journeys across Sardinia, the ATR 465’s progress through testing marks a tangible step toward faster, higher-capacity trains on one of the Mediterranean’s most visited islands, and highlights the ongoing transformation of a rail network that has long struggled to match the expectations of residents and visitors alike.