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Pioneer of first privately operated high-speed train in Europe eyes the UK
Could this sleek, red railway equivalent of a Ferrari one day cut a blurry dash through the Chilterns? If Britain has struggled to sell the idea of high-speed rail to a sceptical public, the government might like to turn to Italy for inspiration. From Saturday, the traveller from Rome to Naples can cover the 225km (140 miles) in little over an hour, paying as little as €20 (£16.33) for the pleasure. The new Italo – the first privately operated high-speed train in Europe – is a train like no other, claims Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, chairman of Ferrari and boss of NTV, the firm challenging the state service. He has a point. Sleeker, faster, quieter, lighter, the AGV – automotrice à grande vitesse – brings into passenger service the technology behind the train world speed record of 574.8kmph in April 2007. British campaigners for high speed rail rolled out music veteran and train enthusiast Pete Waterman in January, but only the Italians could attempt to make a train launch sexy. Mobbed by press at the inaugural journey from Rome Tiburtina, the flamboyant Montezemolo purred: "I'm addicted to speed. Speed and risk. Economic risk."....Read more here--: Italy's Ferrari of the railways gets off to a flying start