“Track of Innovation” opens to the public: the permanent exhibition at the Alstom site in Vado Ligure
“Track of Innovation” opens to the public: the permanent exhibition at the Alstom site in Vado Ligure
Original objects, models, historical photographs, and archival materials alternate with multimedia installations
The exhibition highlights the role of people and their skills, giving a voice to Alstom professionals through immersive multimedia content
The thoughtful use of colours, lighting, spaces, and fonts is the result of a careful study aimed at facilitating the reading, navigation, and enjoyment of the content
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As of May 16, the community has a new exhibition space, designed as an educational venue for young people, featuring interactive exhibits and hands-on activities with a scientific focus
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The exhibition traces the evolution of the locomotives built in Vado Ligure through original artifacts, models, and photographs from the historical archives
14 May 2026 – “Track of Innovation,” Alstom’s new permanent exhibition housed in the historic Vado Ligure site at Via Tecnomasio 2, will open to the public on Saturday, May 16. With “Tracks of Innovation,” Alstom—a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility—showcases one of the country’s most iconic industrial sites, returning to the community an industrial heritage preserved and passed down for over a century, consisting not only of technologies and machinery, but above all of the knowledge, skills, and people who have helped write decisive chapters in the history of rail transport. The exhibition, which can be visited by appointment, was previewed on April 13 during the celebrations marking the site’s 120th anniversary.
From Industrial Heritage to Innovation: An Immersive Exhibition Experience
Housed in a historic early 20th-century building, “Tracks of Innovation” unfolds as an immersive journey that bridges industrial heritage with a vision of the future. Original objects, models, historical photographs, and archival materials alternate with multimedia installations, creating a narrative that guides visitors through the evolution of the locomotives built in Vado Ligure and, with it, the country’s industrial, economic, and social development.
A place of learning and inspiration for everyone
“Tracks of Innovation” is a museum space dedicated to education and public outreach, designed to introduce a broad audience to the topics of rail transport, technological innovation, and sustainable mobility. The exhibition, accessible even to visitors without specialized knowledge, is structured around different levels of interpretation and exploration and features interactive installations, workshops, and hands-on experiments dedicated to the principles of engineering, applied physics, and STEM disciplines, offering a concrete understanding of the world of mechatronics. Simulations and immersive experiences allow visitors, among other things, to try their hand at driving a locomotive and to understand how hydrogen-powered train technologies work. Alongside the technological aspect, the exhibition highlights the role of people and their skills, giving a voice to Alstom professionals through immersive multimedia content. Aimed particularly at young people, students, and schools, the exhibition serves as a place for education and career guidance, capable of highlighting industrial heritage as a tool for understanding the present and envisioning the future of mobility.
Accessibility at the Heart of the Exhibition Design
Particular attention has been paid to the issue of accessibility, a central element in the design of the exhibition layout. The thoughtful use of colours, lighting, spaces, and fonts is the result of a careful study aimed at facilitating the reading, navigation, and enjoyment of the content. These design elements are complemented by support tools such as audio guides in multiple languages, also available in compact formats, to ensure an inclusive and as independent as possible visitor experience.
An industrial history spanning over a century
Founded in 1906, the Vado Ligure site quickly established itself as one of the main production hubs for the Italian railway industry. This is where the E.550, the country’s first three-phase electric locomotive, was born, along with models that have shaped the history of rail transport, such as the E.636, E.444, E.633, E.652, and E.464. In recent years, the site has contributed to the development of high-speed trains and has consolidated its core business with the Traxx locomotive platform. With over 2,000 locomotives built in more than 120 years, it stands as a concrete example of the connection between industry, innovation, and the local community.
How to book a visit?
The permanent exhibition is hosted inside the Alstom plant in Vado Ligure, at Via Tecnomasio 2, and can be visited by reservation only.
For individual visitors or small groups, visits are scheduled on the first and third Friday of each month, between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., by sending a request to the Italian Communication team.
For larger groups and school classes, booking requests must also be sent to the Italian Communication team and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, in order to arrange the most suitable dates, times and visit modalities.
The permanent exhibition was created in collaboration with local organizations and volunteers, including the Unione Industriali della Provincia di Savona, the Treno Club Savona, and A.C.M.E. srl.
