100 years of Alstom in Florence

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Florence site, Alstom celebrates this important centre of excellence for signalling systems with the exhibition, “The Future in Our History - Artificial intelligence meets human ingenuity”.

History and innovation come together to retrace the industrial journey of the site since 1924, the year of the founding of “Angiolo Siliani Costruzioni Elettromeccaniche”, highlighting a vision constantly projected towards the future and in service of the community and the region.

On May 11, 1924, the workshop “Angiolo Siliani Costruzioni Elettromeccaniche” was founded, specialising in the repair of electric motors and the supply of equipment for the distribution of medium and low voltage electrical energy. As early as 1929, after overcoming the initial startup phase, the company moved to a larger facility, allowing for better organisation of work and a significant increase in both the quantity and quality of the equipment produced.

Florence and the convenience of buses: from clogs to wheels

In 1928, the first bus lines were introduced in Florence, marking a revolution in urban mobility and a significant step forward in the transformation of the city's transportation system. The old horse-drawn trams were gradually replaced by modern rubber-wheeled vehicles, ushering in a new era in which the city opened up to new possibilities for movement and connection between different areas. This allowed citizens to enjoy a more efficient, comfortable, and faster system, contributing to an overall improvement in their quality of life.

Thanks to the skills and passion of its founder Angiolo Siliani, the company thrives and stands out for its ingenuity and dynamism. By the end of the 1930s, the first orders began to arrive from the State Railways, including the supply of various equipment such as the electropneumatic valve, the electropneumatic counter, the traction motor inverters, and the single-pole quick switches.

Santa Maria Novella Railway Station: the new gateway to the wonders of Florence

In 1935, the Florence Santa Maria Novella Railway Station was officially inaugurated, quickly becoming a crucial infrastructure for the national transportation system. Thanks to its iconic rationalist design and strategic location, the new station facilitates travel and connections between Florence and other important national and international destinations. Its presence will significantly contribute to the development and modernisation of the city and the Italian railway system in the following decades.

During the Second World War, the company was forced to produce equipment for aviation and the navy to meet wartime needs. Once the war was over, it was among the first to resume previous activities, demonstrating a strong determination in reconstruction and revitalisation. This led to further expansion: in addition to producing devices for the railways, cam-operated combiners for locomotives used in traction service were also introduced, further enriching the company's extensive offerings.

The role of the railway in safeguarding artistic heritage

With the end of the Second World War, the Ministry of War and the State Railways worked to return to their original locations, including art cities like Florence, the artworks saved during the conflict, implementing sophisticated preservation plans. One of the most important protection methods was the use of sandbags for transporting the artworks, which allows millions of tourists today to admire the beauties that have been left to us as a legacy. One of these is Michelangelo's David.

In 1958, having become important in the railway sector, the company permanently moved to its current location on Via Pietro Fanfani, where several processing areas were opened, such as the thermosetting molding department, the turning department, and the electronics department. The latter, thanks to the advent of semiconductors, would gradually drive the expansion of this business from a design perspective as well. The first electronic project developed in the company is the Signal (1957), an acoustic warning device for overtaking heavy vehicles. During the 1950s, many other products were created, such as the Blocking Instrument (1952) and the Screen Relay (1957) intended for traffic signal indications.

The engine of change: Florence and the economic miracle

In the 1950s and 1960s, following the war, Italy went through a phase of intense reconstruction and renewal, with rapid development affecting all areas of society. In Florence, this momentum translated into a strong entrepreneurial and creative spirit, with the launch of important architectural projects, modernisation of infrastructure, and regeneration of the industrial and employment fabric, which had previously been converted to the war sector. This fervor, which also involved the Siliani company, fueled an unprecedented enthusiasm and collective well-being that profoundly contributed to the expansion and transformation of Florence into a modern and dynamic city.

Since the 1960s, the mechanical sector has created important devices for the State Railways, while the electronics sector has developed, giving rise to a new company. Among the most significant products is the mass production of the Blocking Instrument, which regulates train circulation by granting 'consent' for passage from one station to another. This manual instrument, equipped with electrical devices and safety constraints, requires human intervention for operation.

The artistic explosion and youth energy

In 1969, the International University of Art was founded in Florence, an institution dedicated to the preservation and deepening of cultural heritage. In a context of intense vitality, animated by students, intellectuals, and activists, the university becomes one of the most significant centres for exchange and dialogue, attracting young people from all over the world to the city. Women's emancipation, the struggle for civil rights, and growing environmental awareness are themes that emerge during these years, influencing art, music, cinema, and literature.

Thanks to new contracts, the company modernises and becomes a joint-stock company (S.p.A.), acquiring advanced equipment such as a Numerical Control lathe and a computer for accounting and automatic drawing of Synoptic Panels. Additionally, the Computer Services Centre is established. During this period, the Synoptic Panel for the ACEI system, the ATN (information system for real-time train visualisation), and the ARCE (device for chronological recording of signalling systems) are developed. Furthermore, production of the P80 begins, which is the control box for switches with remote electric operation.

Florence: exporter of innovation and know-how

Thanks to the deep social changes of past decades, Florence establishes itself as the Italian cultural capital and exports innovation and know-how, becoming an irresistible crossroads for artists, scholars, and entrepreneurs from all over the country and the rest of the world. They are drawn by the extraordinary cultural events and unique professional opportunities that only the Tuscan capital can offer. An example of this momentum is the project of the Synoptic Panels intended for stations throughout Italy, culminating in the installation of the largest Synoptic Panel at Milan Central Station.

E-business is expanding, giving rise to SAB Siliani, an independent company that establishes itself near the original headquarters and quickly asserts itself thanks to the transfer of skills and technical resources. During this period, several innovations are developed, including the first secure architecture for the Block Count-Axis system, the ATP (Automatic Train Protection) system based on the communication of line information to train drivers, the Point-to-Point Remote Control (TPP) for managing remote-controlled stations, the DELFINA electronic control unit for train startup control, and converters for the lighting of regional trains.

The capital of unconventional fashion

In a period marked by significant political and social events, sometimes tragic, young people strive to reclaim the scene. Their spirit is expressed not only through music but especially through clothing. Florence becomes a hub for incubating fashion trends on a global scale, thanks to the growing popularity of important industry events and the presence of major international brands and high-end manufacturing in the area.

In Italy, railway signalling undergoes a transformation thanks to technological and organisational advancements. Centralised Control Systems and the SCMT (Train Control Management System) are introduced, aligning with the planning for high-speed rail and European standards (ETCS). The company develops projects such as the transition from ATP to ATC (Automatic Train Control) and subsequently to SCMT for the automatic control of train speed. The Block Count-Axis system is updated with the TDS to reduce the costs of transmitting signalling information. Protection systems for level crossings, temperature detection for axle boxes, and hydraulic control cabinets for high-speed rail are developed.

An urban icon: the new and modern stadium of the city

The drive of a Florence increasingly connected to the rest of the world continues unabated, manifesting itself with a constant focus on modernising infrastructure and urban facilities. In 1996, the New Artemio Franchi Stadium is inaugurated, renovated to meet the demands of modern football and to accommodate a larger number of sporting events and audiences. This marks a new chapter for Florence's main sports facility, which becomes the venue for international and national matches, as well as concerts by artists from around the world.

In the first decade of the 2000s, the railway sector experiences significant technological advancements. Innovations such as the Train Control Management System (SCMT), the European Train Control System (ETCS), the development of High-Speed Rail lines, and the integration of Traffic Management Systems (CTC, ACC) are introduced. The company consolidates the production of control cabinets using CTS sleepers, both in Italy and abroad, and employs new sensors for RTB. CENELEC certification is obtained, which certifies the harmonisation of European regulations in Italy, and the Support System for Train Operation (SSC) is developed, an evolution of ATC, for controlling the maximum permitted speed, which is later exported for light rail systems in Brazil and Sweden.

Florence and Bologna never so close

The new millennium brings a wave of innovation to Florence, driven by technological revolution and globalisation. Among the most significant projects is the construction of the high-speed railway line connecting Bologna and Florence, which enhances connectivity between the North and the Centre of the country. Florence establishes itself as a crucial railway hub, facilitating the movement of people and the transport of goods, thereby increasing its economic competitiveness and becoming increasingly accessible and attractive to tourists.

On November 2, 2015, the company was acquired by Alstom, which immediately enhanced the headquarters by creating a railway signalling development centre for the entire group, integrating skills, organisation, and tools accumulated over nearly a century. Projects were developed such as the upgrade of the onboard system from SCMT to ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System), allowing regional trains to adopt new European technological standards. Onboard software for the ERTMS platform (IVC/EVC2) was introduced for the entire Alstom group, and Mastria, a real-time traffic planning and scheduling tool, was implemented.

Finally, the CTS2 control cabinet was developed, an advanced system used for the command and control of railway switches, which has been exported to numerous countries around the world.

The tram that makes Florence soar in the world

In 2015, Line 2 of the Florence Tramway was completed and inaugurated, connecting Florence Peretola Airport to the city center. This important project significantly improves urban mobility by providing a fast and efficient transportation option. The new line also helps reduce road traffic, promotes environmental sustainability, and facilitates the increase of tourist visits to the city.