FS Class 310
| Company type | Steam locomotive class |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railway |
| Founded | 1894 |
| Headquarters | Italy |
| Products | Steam locomotives |
The FS Class 310 (known in Italian as Gruppo 310), originally classified as Class 380 by the Rete Mediterranea, was a series of 0-6-0 steam locomotives and represented the first compound locomotives constructed in Italy.
Design and construction
Following a successful trial involving the conversion of six existing FS Class 255 engines to compound operation, the Ufficio d'Arte di Torino of the Rete Mediterranea developed a two-cylinder compound locomotive intended for mixed traffic duties. This initiative also marked the initial use of the Walschaerts valve gear in Italian locomotive engineering.
The initial batch of 49 units featured a round-topped boiler with conventional tubes, whereas the subsequent 20 locomotives were equipped with boilers containing Serve tubes, which increased their power output from approximately 430 CV (316 kW; 424 hp) to about 500 CV (368 kW; 493 hp).
Manufacture of these locomotives took place between 1894 and 1901, carried out by Ernesto Breda and MÁVAG.
Service
Although the Class 310 represented a significant advancement in Italian steam locomotive design, it encountered several operational challenges. The single cut-off control for both cylinders complicated balancing their workload, the starting valve mechanism was not entirely effective, and the cylinder dimensions were suboptimal. These issues prompted further refinement leading to the development of the more efficient FS Class 320.
Throughout their service life, Class 310 engines operated on secondary routes handling both freight and passenger trains. The last units remained active until the early 1930s, primarily around Asti, before being retired. Unfortunately, none of these locomotives have been preserved.
References
- Cornolò, Giovanni (May 2014). "Steam Locomotives". TuttoTreno (2).
- Kalla-Bishop, P.M. (1986). Steam Locomotives of the Italian State Railways: Including Low-Voltage DC and Three-Phase Electric Traction. Abingdon: Tourret. ISBN 0905878035.