FS Class E.656

The E.656 series is a six-axle electric locomotive Italian series, nicknamed Caimano ( German: Cayman ).

Technical Features

The E.656 series represents the last Italian-built electric locomotive series, in which the traction power is controlled with an electromechanical switch stages. However, the speed steps need to be set when starting the engine driver not individually, but can be controlled via an automatic start.

Sub-series

The locomotives of the E.656 locomotives were purchased in six only slightly differing from each other contract sections. The early series were given for the auxiliary drive a transformer with 180 W of power, and later two converters were installed with 120 W of power. The last production run ( E.656.551 -608 ) is equipped with multiple and push-pull train for use in regional traffic.

The individual series:

Use

The E.656 series is used in passenger and freight traffic. It formed over many years the backbone of the Italian express train traction. Thus, it was also about the TEE Mediolanum covered in the 90s on the Italian side with a E.656. Future will gradually reallocated to freight almost the entire series. For this purpose, the gear ratio is changed in favor of traction. The modified machines have a top speed of 120 km / h and are redrawn in E.655. Only the sixth production run ( with push-pull train ) will initially remain with the regional transport - main applications are in the process of Liguria and the Italian northwest.