FS Class E.550

Class E.550
Type and origin
Power type Electric
Model 1906
Build date 1908-1921
Total produced 186
Specifications
AAR wheel arr. E
Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Length 9.5 m (31 ft 2.0 in)
Locomotive weight 63 t (62 long tons; 69 short tons)
Electric system(s) 3.6 kV 16.7 Hz Catenary
Current collection
method		 Pantograph
Engine type Three-phase Electric
Performance figures
Maximum speed 50 km/h (31 mph)
Power output 1,500 kW (2,000 hp)
Career
Operator(s) FS
Retired 1965

The FS Class E.550 was a class of three-phase electric locomotive used in Italy, introduced in the 20th century, which remained in service until 1965.

History

In the wake of the success met with three-phase electric locomotives on the Valtellina line, in the early 20th century the newly formed state-owned Ferrovie dello Stato, led by Riccardo Bianchi, decided to electrify also the important mountain line of the Giovi Pass, which connected the port of Genoa to the industrial cities of northern Italy. Despite the use of the powerful 470 class steam locomotive, the line was actually near full saturation. Electrification of the line at 3.6 kV 16.7 Hz were completed in 1916.

Designer of the electric part was the Hungarian engineer Kálmán Kandó. The whole project, initially developed by the FS central design studio, was later completed by the Società Italian Westinghouse of Vado Ligure. The first E.550 prototype proved to be capable to haul, on the steep hill stretches of the Giovi railroad, trains of up to 400 t (390 long tons; 440 short tons) (against the 310 t or 310 long tons or 340 short tons of pair of Class 470 steam engines), and also at the double speed of 50 km/h (31 mph). The use of electric traction also solved the problem of smoke dissipation in the tunnels. A total of 186 E.550s was built between 1908 and 1921, in four series.

Description

E.550 had five axles connected to the two electric motors through an articulated connecting rod. The three center axles were rigidly mounted to the frame and the center axle's wheels were without flanges. The outer axles were mounted in a manner that allowed them to turn into curves. The wheels were small, and thus adapted to heavy freight or slow passenger services at low speed. The locomotive had two cabs, one at each end of the central compartment. The motors were asynchronous three-phase, which could be connected in series at low speed and in parallel at higher speeds. The connections were enabled through a tambour connector using a liquid-cooled rheostat. Feeding was provided by two trolleys, both always connected to the line.

Braking was provided by an automatic continuous brake and a regulated, hand-operated brake.

The locomotives E.551, E.552 and E.554 were all developments of E.550. Some E.550s units were later transformed into snow-sweepers.

Transformations and reutilization

In 1953, locomotive E.550.023 was modified at Bolzano to add a large snow plow to one end. It served on the Brenner line from 1955 to 1965.

In 1955, locomotives E.550.086 and E.550.115 were demotorized and transformed into push-type snow plows; they received the classification Vnx 201 and 202. Between 1963 and 1966 additional units were transformed in the same fashion to become Vnx 210-222. Sometime thereafter, snow plow equipped E.550.023 was also demotorized.

At some point, the Vnx were renumbered into the series Vnx 806.210-222. Some have since been renumbered into the 12-digit UIC scheme in the series 40 83 970 6 0xx-x.

Preservation

E.550.025 is at the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis, Missouri in poor cosmetic condition due to being stored outside since 1968. is awaiting transfer to Savigliano (CN), Italy, in the exhibition of the Piedmont Railway Museum. is an ongoing fundraiser for his transfer by sea. www.museoferroviariopiemontese.com

E.550.030 is at the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci in Milano, Italy.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to FS E.550.

Coordinates: 38°34′18″N 90°27′43″W / 38.571572°N 90.462048°W