FS Class 744
| Industry | Railway |
|---|---|
| Founded | July 1, 1905 |
| Headquarters | Italy |
| Products | Steam locomotives (including Class 744) |
The Class 744 (Italian: Gruppo 744) steam locomotives of the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS; Italian State Railways) represent a series of 2-8-0 engines and were the final traditional steam models constructed for FS.[1][2]Template:Sfnb
Design and construction
Originating from the earlier FS Class 745 design, the Class 744 shared its boiler and wheelbase with its predecessor. However, the implementation of inside cylinders—intended to minimize axle load—resulted in undersized big ends that frequently overheated, limiting their overall success. Later adjustments to weight restrictions increased the permissible axle load to 14.6 tons (and subsequently to 14.85 tons for those equipped with Caprotti valve gear), enabling engineers to relocate the two cylinders externally, thereby resolving the overheating problem.[3]Template:Sfnb
The initial group of 25 units was manufactured by Società Italiana Ernesto Breda in 1927, featuring Walschaerts valve gear. In 1928, a further 25 locomotives were produced by Ansaldo (15 units) and Officine Meccaniche (10 units), all fitted with Caprotti valve gear. These latter machines were originally designated as Class 743, but were reclassified in 1930 under Class 744.1XX.[4]Template:Sfnb
Operations and alterations
Engineered for versatile traffic duties, the Class 744 was predominantly deployed in southern Italy. Eighteen units were based at Salerno to operate along the Salerno–Reggio di Calabria railway, while another twenty served in the regions of Palermo and Catania. Following the electrification of the Tyrrhenian route, a portion of these locomotives was relocated to northern Italy, with others assigned to duties on Sardinia. In 1956, locomotive 744.024 underwent a trial installation of a Giesl ejector. The entire Class 744 fleet was retired from active service during the 1970s.
Preservation
Two locomotives from the Class 744 series have been preserved:
- Locomotive 744.003, equipped with Walschaerts valve gear, is maintained as a static display at Cagliari railway station;
- Locomotive 744.118, featuring Caprotti valve gear, was originally housed at the National Railway Museum of Pietrarsa before being moved to Pistoia, where it awaits potential restoration for heritage railway operations.
References
Bibliography
- Cornolò, Giovanni (July 2014). "Locomotive a vapore". TuttoTreno (3).
- Template:Kalla-Bishop-FS-Steam