|
PRESERVED ITALIAN DMUS |
1950s designs
During the war prototypes of engines were developed enabling post-war DMUs to have underfloor engines and on the majority retractable gangways which when unnecessary were hidden behind the front doors.
Picture used from www.photorail.com
by courtesy of Stefano Paolini
These 25 units were built by FIAT for a network
of narrow gauge lines in Sicily in 1949-50.
Some had one 185 hp engine and others two: the latter type being
intended for lines with rack sections.
Unfortunately the whole network was slowly closed, the last line being
shut down in 1985.
One, RAln 60.12, was saved in 1998 and exposed at Villarosa station
were a little museum on railways and local traditions was set up.
Picture used from www.photorail.com
by courtesy of Stefano Paolini
Aln 880s were intercity dmus totalling 40 motor
cars and 10 trailers which had nothing different from their power
cars.
They were built by Breda from 1950 to 1953 and were powered by a 450
hp engine which unfortunately proved unreliable.
They carried on until 1985 albeit downgraded to local trains.
No. 2018 is preserved in the National Railway Museum.
990.3036 at Pisa in June 1983. Mike Cooper
The 40 Aln 990s were the OM version of intercity dmus and they were
provided with ten similar trailers too.
Propulsion was ensured by a 480 hp engine.
They were far better than contemporary Aln 880s so they lasted until
1991 and although downgraded to lesser duties they were regularly
rostered for a Milan to Aosta weekends only express until 1988.
Picture used from www.photorail.com
by courtesy of Stefano Paolini
Only one, Aln 990 3018, has been saved but as you can see from the
image above she’s in working order and a substantial quantity of
spares has also been secured.
Picture used from www.photorail.com
by courtesy of Stefano Paolini
Picture used from www.photorail.com
by courtesy of Stefano Paolini
Aln 773 were built from 1957 to 1960 by OM:
seventy railcars were built along with 45 Ln 664 trailers.
These trailer had only one cab.
Power cars had two 210 hp engines.
Between 1963 and 1966 twenty units fitted with 300 hp engines were
supplied and classified in the new Aln 873 class to denote their
superior power; ten similar looking trailers classified Ln 779 were
also supplied.
As you can see from the photo below 873s were recognizable for the
roof detail marked by the black arrow.
Being very similar the two classes shared the same duties until the
end.
In contrast with earlier railcars these two classes wore three
liveries during their careers: first red stripes, then green in mid-1960s
(Aln 873 were supplied in this livery) and finally blue as you can see
from the photos.
Withdrawals were heavy from 1993 onwards and by the end of 1996 none were
left in traffic.
Aln 873 3511/3512 were originally preserved at Pisa shed but in 2002
they moved to Ferrovia Val d’Orcia as increasing success here
required five-car formations on peak hours and Aln 990 3018 for
less patronized trains as well.
Aln 773 3538 and 3558 are also preserved at Verona shed in working
order although seldomly used.