FS Class ALn 668
The diesel railcar FS ALn 668 are a group of light rail vehicles, which were built between the 1950s and the 1980s for the Italian State Railways and still be in service.
- 4.1 The Series 1500
- 4.2 The 1600 Series
- 4.3 The Series 1999
- 4.4 The Series 1700
- 4.5 1800 series
- 5.1 The 1900 Series and 1000
- 5.2 The Series 1200, 3000, 3100 and 3300
- 5.3 Control Car
- 7.1 FS ALn 663
- 7.2 FCU ALn 776
- 7.3 SJ Y1
History
At the beginning of the 1950s the diesel railcar park of the Italian State Railways, had become practically useless for those services for which it was originally designed. In addition, the large number of different types caused some difficulties in the maintenance and the provision of spare parts.
In order to modernize the passenger traffic on the Sicilian narrow gauge network of FS 1950 railcar of type FS RALn were used from January 60. When designing this series technical lessons to be learned that could be used in the result for the standard gauge diesel railcars of FIAT.
In 1954, then the project of a standardized diesel railcar was recorded, the - should solve the problems in the diesel fleet of FS - on the experience with the two already are in operation railcar series supported. The new railcars was designed for 68 seats, eight of the first and 60 second class. According to the classification system of the FS, it was called " Automotrice Leggera a Nafta 668 " ( Light, naphtha - powered railcar 668 ), short ALn 668.
Thanks to the large spectrum of possible uses of this vehicle and the more than 700 copies, which bought because the Italian State Railways in 30 years, this railcar series was mainly from the 1960s real backbone of the Italian regional traffic and was only recently - by the Minuetto - almost completely displaced on secondary lines.
Design and vehicle requirements
In 1954, the FS ordered from FIAT Ferroviaria the first three prototypes of the series: you got the numbers 1401, 1402 and 1403.
After the mixed experiences with the large single-engined railcars FS ALn 990 and FS ALn 880 you took as the configuration of new vehicles to the success of the pre-war railcars, the so-called " Littorine " (FS ALn 40, FS ALn 56, FS ALn 80, etc.), which were equipped with two motors. Of course, but also the occurrence since the prewar period was taken into account technological progress and the technique over the Littorine significantly improved.
The decision to equip the new railcar with two engines, offered several advantages: the two independent traction groups with diesel engines of broader production made it possible to keep the cost to drive relatively low, the presence of two motorized axes improved adhesion and spare parts are cheaper and easier to stockpile. All mechanical parts are simple, easily performed and require little maintenance.
Was redesigned Compared to the pre-war railcar control and the clutch, which is now carried by electrical signals. This was the forth known of road vehicles pedal system be abandoned. Also an innovation was the use of truck engines for railcars dar. However, the most important change concerned the position of the motors: These were not installed in the box, but are the same now below. This allowed the problems of instability at high speed and the transmission of vibrations of the train while driving on delicate mechanical parts, which was in previous models source of damage and frequent repairs can be solved.
The first generation
The 1400 Series
The first series produced the Aln 668 was the 1400 series, which consists of 80 units (including the three prototypes). The only difference between the prototype and the other vehicles in this series is to append a bellows (Italian: intercomunicante a soffietto ) and the displacement of the air suction point for the engines from the roof to the side. In this first series engines of the type 203S were ( 110kW ), an evolution of the truck Motores FIAT 682, installed. Due to some differences in the wiring of the prototypes could not be used in multiple-unit control with the other vehicles in the series. After the prototype was renewed in 1401 for reasons of tourism, this difference was eliminated and adjusted the electrical equipment that of the other vehicles in the series.
The Series 2400
Almost simultaneously with the production of the series in 1400 at the FIAT, the 2400 series was produced in the factory Sesto San Giovanni (MI) of Breda. The most interesting difference was in the two diesel engines; in this series those of the type Brif D140S6h ( 100 kW ) have been installed. The two diesel engines are located on the opposite side of the luggage compartment side, so that a deviating wheelbase ( 2'B ' ) revealed. This series was equipped with multiple unit control. In addition, it would have been theoretically able to associate with the control car FS Ln 664 from FIAT - production; However, it seems that this possibility has never been used in normal operation.
Compared to the series produced by the Fiat vehicles this series were delicate, particularly the motors, which resulted in many problems in operation.
The second generation
The Series 1500
This second series of FIAT almost equal to the first; But now a more powerful engine (type 221h, 115kW ) has been installed and the original gear shift was replaced by a 4-speed circuit " Wilson ", which was built by Breda on license from SGC.
The 1600 Series
The 1600 series in almost identical to the 1500 series, only the gear shift was replaced by a 5-speed gearbox of the FIAT.
The Series 1999
In this " series" - in fact it involves only two vehicles - traded it to attempt railcars to develop ALn 668. In operation, the first series showed namely the late 1960s that some technical details had to be reconsidered. Attention was given to the trucks and the chassis of all - from the developed for these vehicles bogies, the so-called third generation of FIAT bogies was finally developed. Were Motorised these vehicles with engines of the type 221HS ( 158kW ), a further development of the engine 221h.
The ALn 668 1999 was never officially enrolled at FS, but was after the completion of the tests - sold together with the second vehicle of this series, the ferrovia Suzzara - Ferrara. There they were called ALn 668 11 or 668 12 ALn.
The Series 1700
Consisting of twenty vehicles Series 1700 was built in Pistoia works of Breda. For the first time the new FIAT diesel engines 8217/12 (166 kW) were installed, which were then used until the 1990s in all subsequent versions of FIAT diesel railcars.
1800 Series
In the 1800 series the experience with the test vehicle in 1999 were utilized directly: So both the new bogies were used, as well as a novel, simple built -to-maintain floor.
The third generation
The Series 1900 and 1000
The most obvious character of the series in 1900 and 1000 is the move away from the central entry. Moreover, since the total length of the vehicle has been extended, and the passenger comfort could be increased. The improved engines allow a maximum speed of 130 km / h
The Series 1200, 3000, 3100 and 3300
With the 1200 Series, the FS went back to the central entrance, but kept the long box with the 1900 Series. Through an enlarged entrance area, the entry and exit time could be shortened overall.
The series 3100 - it was built in about 100 copies - can be used in triple control. The motors have an output of 170 kW. In the early days these vehicles were often on the Tendalinie Turin - used Ventimiglia and Nice.
The last series of ALn 668, Series 3300, was built until 1981. It has a " mountain translation ", so that the top speed to 120 km / h limited. They are mainly used on the line Terni L'Aquila and Sulmona on the lines around, as these lines have some steep inclines.
Control car
Matching the Aln 668 also two types were built by driving trailer: First, the Ln 664 for ALn the first series, and then the Ln 882
Since the control cars are only allowed a maximum speed of 90 km / hr, it will increase more rarely used. Today they are mainly to be found in regional traffic around Milan, primarily on the Milan - Monza - Molteno Lecco.
The ALn 668 for the franchised railways
Numerous licensed tracks bought the model ALn 668.
Source: Vittorio Cervigni, Panoramica sulle ALn 668, in: "i Treni " No. 129, September 1992, p 26
Developments
FS ALn 663
Technically the last series of the ALn 668 railcars of class 663 are ALn However, since these have five seats less, due to the numbering scheme of the Italian State Railways, the name had to be changed. For details on these vehicles see the main article FS ALn 663
FCU ALn 776
For the Ferrovia Centrale Umbra railcar FCU ALn was from the ALn 668 or the ALn 663 developed 776. Five vehicles of this development are now also in the ferrovia Sangritana in use.
SJ Y1
In the late 1970s a Swedish conditions adapted vehicle was developed from the ALn 668, the series SJ Y1.
Historic vehicles and test vehicles
The ALn 668 1401 and 1452 were offset by the workshop Fabriano FS back in the original condition with original paint. They belong now to the park of historical engines Vehicles of FS.
With the ALn 668 1999 end of the 1960s were also experiments with the body tilt, as they were then used in the Pendolini made .
The box of ALn 668 1207 is made of stainless steel - this is a test which was not then implemented in series.