FS Class 310

FS Class 310

Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Ernesto Breda (49), MÁVAG (20) Build date 1894–1901 Total produced 69

Specifications UIC class C n2v Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge Driver diameter 1,500 mm (59.06 in) Length Axle load 14.5 tonnes (14.3 long tons; 16.0 short tons) Loco weight 43.5 tonnes (42.8 long tons; 48.0 short tons) Tender weight 33 tonnes (32 long tons; 36 short tons) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) Water cap 12,000 litres (2,600 imp gal; 3,200 US gal) Boiler pressure Firegrate area 1.8 m2 (19 sq ft) Heating surface 143.2 m2 (1,541 sq ft) Cylinders Two, compound High-pressure cylinder size 460 mm × 640 mm (18.11 in × 25.20 in) Low-pressure cylinder size 650 mm × 640 mm (25.59 in × 25.20 in) Valve gear Walschaerts

Performance figures Maximum speed 60 km/h (37 mph) Power output at 30 km/h (19 mph) Tractive effort

The Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS; Italian State Railways) Class 310 (Italian: Gruppo 310), formerly Rete Mediterranea Class 380, was a 0-6-0 steam locomotive; they were the first Italian as-built compound locomotives.

Design and construction

After modifying six of the pre-existing Class 255 to a compound arrangement as an experiment, with positive results, the Ufficio d'Arte di Torino of the Rete Mediterranea designed a two-cylinder compound locomotive meant for mixed service; this design also saw the beginning of the adoption of the Walschaerts valve gear on Italian locomotives.

The round-topped boiler on the first 49 units had standard tubes; however, on the last 20 units it was replaced by one with Serve tubes, which brought the power of these locomotives from the original to .

These locomotives were built between 1894 and 1901 by Ernesto Breda and MÁVAG.

Service

The Class 310, while an important step in Italian locomotive design, was not a thoroughly successful design; the unique cut-off command for both cylinders made it difficult to equalize the work being done, the starting valve design did not prove entirely successful, and the proportions of the cylinders were also less than optimal. The need to obviate these inconvenients led to the development of the more successful Class 320.

The Class 310 locomotives served on both passenger and freight trains on secondary lines for their whole career; the last units survived till the early 1930s around Asti, but were withdrawn soon after. No locomotive survived into preservation.