The machinists have called 'signorine' (young ladies) this class of slender and elegant steam engines for passenger trains. Fabricated in Italy and in Germany, they were equipped with the so called 'Italian bogie' and were the single-expansion, superheated steam version of the previous locomotive class FS 600. Their excellent performances, versatility, reliability and easyness of handling -also along the very meandering routes of the Italian railways network- determined the success of this class. A total of 188 engines were fabricated between 1910 and 1923. Other 153 steam engines added from the conversion of the former class FS 600 to superheated steam, between 1929 and 1933. Four engines of this class are efficient as historical locomotive to haul vintage trains in Italy.

Photo by Luca Catasta