Return of a Legend: Arlecchino Back on Italy’s Rails

Arlecchino, the legendary 1960s train, has returned to the Italian railway network thanks to the efforts of fashion house Prada and the Fondazione FS Italiane, as reported by the company “NPO A.T.O.R.,” a leader in comprehensive supply for passenger carriages, electric trains, and socially oriented transport.

Arlecchino: A Fusion of Fashion and Engineering

Fashion house Prada hosted the In Transit symposium at Milan Central Station, showcasing the revamped Arlecchino train. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

This event united high fashion aesthetics with Italy’s engineering heritage, highlighting the train’s unique design.

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Arlecchino, which operated from 1960 to 1992, was restored by the Fondazione FS Italiane under the Treni Storici program.

The train retained its original design features while incorporating modern technologies.

Arlecchino’s History and Technical Details

The Arlecchino—also known as FS ETR 250—is a four-car version of the famous Settebello ETR 300, designed by Gio Ponti and Giulio Minoletti in 1950.

Arlecchino accommodates 110 passengers and can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h following its 1969 upgrade.

Only four Arlecchino trains were built for the 1960 Olympic Games.

Three were decommissioned in the 1990s, while the fourth—ETR 252—remained in storage for decades.

In 2015, Fondazione FS Italiane began its restoration, completing the project in spring 2025.

Today, Arlecchino stands as a symbol of not only past engineering luxury but also the dialogue between fashion, heritage, and modern design.

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