FS Class E.491 and E.492

The FS Class E.491 and E.492 were an Italian electric 25 kV 50 Hz AC locomotives built during the 1980s by the TEAM (Trazione Electrica Alternata Monofase) consortium, formed by FIAT ferroviaria, Ansaldo and other companies. The lines of the locomotive were designed by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. Group E.491 was designed to be used on freight trains (max speed 140 km/h or 87 mph) while E.492 was designed for fast passenger trains (max speed 160 km/h or 99 mph).

FS class E.491/492
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderConsorzio TEAM (Fiat Ferroviaria Savigliano e Ansaldo Trasporti)
Build dateE.491:1986 - 1990
E.492:1987 - 1990
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICBo′Bo′
Wheel diameter1,100 mm (43.31 in)
Wheelbase8,700 mm (28 ft 6.5 in) between bogie pivots
2,600 mm (8 ft 6.4 in) between the axles of each bogie
Length17,000 mm (55 ft 9.3 in)
Width3,000 mm (9 ft 10.1 in)
Height4,310 mm (14 ft 1.7 in)
Loco weight86 short tons (77 long tons; 78 t)
Electric system/s25 kV 50 Hz AC Catenary
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
Traction motors3-phase asynchronous
TransmissionE.491: 34/96;
E.492: 39/96
Performance figures
Maximum speedE.491: 140 km/h (87 mph)
E.492: 160 km/h (99 mph)
Power output3,400 kW (4,600 hp)
Career
OperatorsTrenitalia
Number in classE.491: 19 units
E.492: 6 units
Dispositionnever entered active service

Intended use

They were intended to be used on the rail lines of Sardinia, at the time subject of future electrification. The project was later abandoned, but a lot of units had already been ordered and built, and since the catenary on the mainland is mostly 3 kV DC (except for high speed lines), and the locomotive was only able to run on 25 kV AC, the group never entered into active service.

Disposal

FS have tried to sell them to foreign railways (France and Bulgaria), but never succeeded. In 2008, the whole batch of 25 locomotives were sold to Fruilexport, a company established in Niš (Serbia).[1] It seems thenceforth likely that they will be used on the Serbian 25 kV network.

References
  1. "Tender". Trenitalia (in Italian).
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