FS Class 940
| Industry | Railway locomotives |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1922 |
| Headquarters | Italy |
| Products | Steam tank locomotives |
The FS Class 940 (Italian: Gruppo 940) operated by the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) represents a 2-8-2 steam tank locomotive variant, developed from the tender locomotive design of the FS Class 740.
Design
This class was specifically engineered to tackle the challenging routes of the Apennine Mountains, with particular focus on the Rome-Sulmona-Pescara line—a vital coast-to-coast corridor characterized by steep inclines reaching up to 2.7%. Prior to its introduction, these routes were served by 0-6-0 locomotives like the FS Class 851, which eventually proved insufficient for increasing operational demands. Consequently, a locomotive featuring eight driving wheels was conceived by modifying the frames, boiler, and engine components of the FS Class 740 into a tank locomotive configuration. Additionally, a trailing wheel was incorporated to the wheelbase to ensure stable operation both forwards and in reverse.
Manufacturing took place between 1922 and 1924, carried out by Officine Meccaniche, Reggiane, and Officine Meccaniche e Navali di Napoli, culminating in a production run of 50 units.
Service and modifications
At first, most units were stationed at the Sulmona depot to serve the trans-Apennine railway. Following World War II, during which four locomotives remained within Yugoslav territory and were assimilated into the Yugoslav Railways fleet as JŽ 118 001-4, the class was redistributed across various depots throughout Italy. Starting in 1968, enhancements including improved draughting systems and larger chimneys were implemented.
In 1951, three locomotives identical in design to the Class 940 but originally built in 1924 for the Template:Interlanguage link multi, bearing numbers 941–943, were incorporated into FS following that company's absorption. These were renumbered as 940.051 through 940.053, raising the official class total to 53 units.
The Class 940 proved to be a highly effective design, remaining active until the conclusion of regular steam operations on FS lines. Its primary roles included freight haulage, passenger service, and heavy shunting tasks.
Preservation
Out of the Class 940 locomotives, eighteen units have been preserved. At present, only numbers 041 and 006 remain operational and are utilized for heritage train services. Meanwhile, other preserved examples, including units 022 and 036, are currently undergoing restoration or maintenance work.
References
- Cornolò, Giovanni (October 2014). "Locomotive a vapore". TuttoTreno (4).
- Template:Kalla-Bishop-FS-Steam