FS Class E550

Infobox Locomotive
name = Class E550
powertype = Electric


caption =
builder =
serialnumber =
buildmodel = 1906
builddate = 1908-1921
totalproduction = 186
whytetype =
aarwheels = E
uicclass =
gauge = 1435 mm
leadingsize =
driversize =
trailingsize =
wheelbase =
length =9.5 m
width =
height =
framesize =
weightondrivers =
weight = 63 t
locotenderweight =
fueltype = Three-phase Electric
fuelc

tenderc

consumption =
watercons =
electricsystem = 3.6 kV 16.7 Hz
collectionmethod =
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aspiration =
displacement =
boiler =
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feedwaterheater =
firearea =
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totalsurface =
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superheaterarea =
cylindercount =
cylindersize =
rearcylindersize =
hpcylindersize =
lpcylindersize =
valvegear =
transmission =
topspeed = 50 km/h
poweroutput = 1500 kW
tractiveeffort =
factorofadhesion =
locobrakes =
trainbrakes =
railroad = FS
railroadclass =
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retiredate =1965
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currentowner =
disposition =|The FS Class E550 was a class of three-phase electric locomotive used in Italy, introduced in the 1900s, 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 Passo di Giovi, 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 nearly saturating. 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 E550 prototype proved to be capable to haul, on the steep hill stretches of the Giovi railroad, trains of up to 400 tons (against the 310 of a 470 tandem), and also at the double speed of 50 km/h. The use of electric traction also solved the problem of steam dissipation in tunnel. A total of 186 E550s was built between 1908 and 1921, in four series.

Description

E550 had three axles connected to the two electric motors through an articulated connecting rod. The wheels were small, and thus adapted to heavy freight or slow passenger services at low speed. The locomotive had two cabs 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 E551, E552 and E554 were all developments of E550. Some E550s units were later transformed into snow-sweepers.

References

*cite book|first=Gianfranco |last=Ferro|coauthors=Michele Mingari|title=Il mulo dei Giovi: E.550|publisher=Ed.Ferro|year= 1978