FS Class E444

Infobox Locomotive
name=FS class E444| electricsystem=3,000 V DC
tractionmotors=DC series
powertype=Electric

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caption=An E444 in Bari Centrale station in 1995
builddate=1965-1975
builder=
weight=83 tons
uicclass=Bo-Bo
firstrundate=1967
disposition=updated as E444R [For a total of 97 units as of 2007. The first prototype is currently preserved to the originary standard.]
numinclass=117 [Including 4 prototypes, 110 series and 3 experimental units. ]
wheeldiameter=1.250 m
poweroutput=4,272 kW
wheelbase=9.000 m between bogies
3.020 m between axles in each bogie
tractiveeffort=201 kN
topspeed=200 km/h
length=16.840 m
width=3.020 m
height=4.300 m
transmission=41/77 gear ratio
railroad=FS Trenitalia
nicknames="Tartaruga" (Turtle)
safety=RSC4; SCMT
Infobox Locomotive
name=FS class E444R
powertype=Electric
electricsystem=3,000 V DC
tractionmotors=DC series

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caption=A E444R in San Benedetto del Tronto in Intercity service (2006)
builddate=1989-
builder=
weight=84 tons
uicclass=Bo-Bo
firstrundate=1989
disposition=In service
numinclass=97
wheeldiameter=1.250 m
poweroutput=4,272 kW
wheelbase=9.000 m between bogies
3.020 m between axles in each bogie
tractiveeffort=201 kN
topspeed=200 km/h
length=17.120 m
width=3.020 m
height=4.300 m
transmission=42/75 gear ratio
railroad=FS Trenitalia
The FS E444 is a class of Italian railways electric locomotives. They were introduced in the course of the 1960 until 1975. Starting from 1995, all E444s were upgraded as E444R.

The locomotives are nicknamed "Tartaruga" (turtle).

History

E444 standard

The E444 locomotive was designed in the 1960s as the first Italian electric locomotive capable to reach 200 km/h (in that period first high-speed trains like the Japanese Shinkansen and the French TGV were appearing). Italian railways could boast fast trains like the ETR 200, but they were getting old and the Pendolino project was just moving its first paces. The first 4 prototypes, built at Savigliano, made their debut in 1967-1968: their power output 3,000 kW was respectable for the time, but they proved unable to held the fast international services required for the new locomotive, and the boogies were limited to 180 km/h. They proved anyway that Italian industry could produce locomotive capable of more than 200 km/h [A speed of 207 km/h] was registered on November 8 1967 in the maiden trip Rome-Milan.

The series production saw the introduction of the more powerful T750 motors, which boosted the power to 4,200 kW, while the boogies were upgraded for 200 km/h. The frontal part was improved and made more aerodynamic. A characteristic livery with two blue stripes on a pale grey background was adopted. The first 50 units proved successful, and the Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) ordered 60 more to be built starting from 1972. 16 units were adapted for feeding at 1,5 kV dc. During 1974 two locomotives (units 056 and 057) were provided with a "shunt chopper" system (later the modifies applied were rolled back, making the two units identical to standard ones again), while in 1975 the 444.005 adopted a "full chopper" electronic system, which was later also adopted on the E632/E633 classes, and which granted a 5,000 kW peak power.

Curiously, the fact that the E444s were often used on old lines and coupled to not advanced coaches, usually hampered their performances. For example, only with the adoption of second-generation coaches, like the Grand Comfort type, trains driven by E444 could replace the old ETR 300 in the Milan-Rome fast service.

E444R

The introduction of fast lines showed the age of the E444. It was therefore commissioned a program to upgrade all units to a new standard. That stator groups and the braking system were adapted for high speed service, while later it was also decided to update the driving cabin, which had been always noisy at high speed. A new, profiled frontal was thus adopted, together with a pearl grey-red livery [Later changed to the standard white green of FS Trenitalia.] . The modified units (for a total of 97) were re-christened E444R ("R" standing for "riqualificazione", meaning "re-qualification", but also known as "Ribollita" among personnel, meaning something like "Reheated soup").

E444R are in widespread service with FS-Trenitalia for fast Intercity and express services.

Footnotes