FCE M.88

The FCE M.88 is a rapid transit electric multiple unit operated by Ferrovia Circumetnea (FCE) on the Catania Metro since December 2001.
==History==
The M.88 is the first generation of rolling stock operational on the Catania Metro; these replaced the MUE M.101 electric railcars temporarily used in service from the opening of the line. The M.88 began operation on 1 December 2001; a total of eight trains were delivered by 2011.
A refurbishment was planned for the trains in 2018 but this fell through. The sets have largely been replaced by the newer CT0 sets but occasionally see service still. Six sets are known to be in service, with M.88-04 and M.88-05 stored at Catania Depot; M.88-05 is planned to be reactivated while M.88-04 is planned to be used for spare parts.
==Design==
Car bodies are constructed of an aluminum alloy using large extruded shapes. Each set consists of two permanently coupled powered cab cars; there is no open gangway between either car, with the cars accessible via a service door. The sets feature three braking systems: regenerative braking, pneumatic disc braking and electromagnetic braking.
Up to three sets can be connected in a multiple unit formation at a time.
===Names===
Each of the eight sets was given a name; the first four sets feature names of female characters from the works of composer Vincenzo Bellini (who was born in Catania), the fifth set was named in memory of a journalist killed in the 2005 Sharm El Sheikh bombings and the sixth was named for Agatha of Sicily, the patron saint of Catania. The seventh and eighth sets were named referencing post-unification Italian brigandage and Carmine Crocco but these names were removed soon after as they were revealed around the time of the 150th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy. M.88-07 and M.88-08 no longer carry names as a result; their names are retained in this table for reference only.
Set number	Name
M.88-01 	Norma
M.88-02 	Beatrice
M.88-03 	Elvira
M.88-04 	Zaira
M.88-05 	Rita
M.88-06 	Agata
M.88-07 	Brigante
M.88-08 	Donatello
==Specifications==
The M.88s are the first type of rolling stock on the Catania Metro to employ variable frequency drives as a traction system; a GTO system used by Ansaldo is used on the M.88s, which when accelerating makes a sound similar to a car shifting gears. The GTO system is similar to the ones used on the Naples Metro M1 and Rome Metro MA 200 models of rolling stock.
Category:Electric trainsets
Category:Firema locomotives
Category:FCE locomotives
Category:Catania Metro locomotives