FS Class 170

FS Class 170 earlier RM 1501-1573 earlier SFAI
Model of an FS Class 170 locomotive
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Koechlin, Maffei, Société Franco-Belge Build date 1873-1889 Total produced 73
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-4-0 Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Leading dia. 1.383 metres Driver dia. 2.03 metres Length 15.716 metres Axle load 13.9 or 14.9 tonnes Loco weight 43.4 or 43.7 tonnes Fuel type Coal Boiler pressure 10 bar Heating surface 96.6 m² or 100.75 m² Cylinders 2 outside Cylinder size 430 x 620 mm Valve gear Gooch
Performance figures Maximum speed 80 km/h (50 mph) Tractive effort 4,070 kgf or 4,260 kgf

FS Class 170 was a class of 2-4-0 steam locomotives acquired by Italian State Railways (FS) from Rete Mediterranea (RM) on nationalization in 1905.

History

These locomotives were received by the Mediterranean Network in 1885 following the division of earlier railways between three major networks. They were locomotives for fast passenger trains and most came from the Società per le strade ferrate dell'Alta Italia (SFAI). They were all of foreign construction. The oldest were delivered from Koechlin of Mulhouse between 1873 and 1874 and accounted for more than half of the total quantity. The subsequent orders, made by RM, were to Maffei of Munich who delivered them between 1884 and 1889. Eight locomotives were built by the Société Franco-Belge between 1888 and 1889. They were finally acquired by FS in 1905 on nationalization. In the FS locomotive list, at 31 December 1914, 60 units were registered. They were divided into two groups with different technical characteristics and some functional and aesthetic variations.

Technical details

The locomotive was built with a 2-4-0 wheel arrangement, with very large 2.030 mm diameter wheels and a front axle with 8 mm side-play allowed. It was typical of the passenger locomotives of the time. It used saturated steam and had two outside cylinders with simple expansion. The boiler pressure was 10 bar. A three-axle tender of total mass 29 tonnes (26 tonnes in the second group) was coupled to the locomotives. The water capacity was 10 m³ and the coal capacity was 3.5 tonnes (3 tonnes in the second group). All locomotives were equipped with automatic compressed air brake equipment. Some machines were also equipped with a steam brake while only no. 1715 had a proportional compressed air brake. All the machines were able to provide steam heating for passenger carriages.

Names

• Locomotive 170.047, ex Rete Mediterranea 1547, Caterina Cornaro
• Locomotive 170.066, ex Rete Mediterranea 1566, Ildegonda

Further reading

• L'album delle locomotive a vapore (ristampa ed.). Albignasego: Editrice Duegi. 2005 [1915].