FS Class E.656

Last updated
FS class E.656
FS E656 294.jpg
Unit E.656.294 in original livery
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderOfficine Casaralta, Officine Reggiane, SOFER, TIBB componentistica Ercole Marelli, Ansaldo, Asgen, Italtrafo
Build date1975–1989
Total produced461
Specifications
Configuration:
   AAR B-B-B
   UIC Bo′Bo′Bo′
Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Wheel diameter1,250 mm (49.21 in)
Length18.29 m (60 ft 18 in)
Width3.00 m (9 ft 10+18 in)
Height3.80 m (12 ft 5+58 in)
Loco weight120 t (118.1 long tons; 132.3 short tons)
Electric system/s 3,000 V DC Catenary
Current pickup(s) Pantograph
Traction motors DC
Safety systemsRSC4; SCMT
Performance figures
Maximum speed150 km/h (93 mph)
Power outputContinuous: 4,200 kW (5,630 hp);
One hour: 4,800 kW (6,440 hp)
Tractive effort 249 kN (56,000 lbf)
Career
Operators FS Trenitalia
Nicknames"Caimano" (Caiman)
DispositionIn service
FS class E.655
E655 166 Casalpusterlengo.jpg
E.655.166 Trenitalia Cargo
Type and origin
Only differences from Class E656 above are shown
Power typeElectric
Specifications
Performance figures
Maximum speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Tractive effort 300 kN (67,400 lbf)

The Class E.656 is an Italian articulated rheostatic-type electric locomotive built from 1975 to 1989. An evolution of the E.646, they are mixed traffic locomotives, and have been used on every kind of train, ranging from freight to intercity passenger transport.

Contents

The E.656 is nicknamed "Caimano" (Caiman).

Technical details

The hull is divided in two parts, each one with its own twin axle bogie, plus a central bogie in the middle. Each bogie mounts four DC motors, each providing 400 kW (540 hp), for a total of 12.

The initial project speed was 160 km/h (99 mph), but later it was reduced to 150 due to stability problems; further, the heavy mass of the locomotive did not allow the use of rheostatic braking.

Recently, many E.656s have been transferred to the Cargo Division of Trenitalia to haul freight trains. The gear ratio has been reduced from 28/61 to 23/66, and the speed limit to 120 km/h (75 mph). The modified units form the Class E.655.

Series

The E.656 class is officially subdivided by FS into three series:

The differences between series regard electrical and mechanical equipment.

The 3rd series locomotives have four field weakening shunts in parallel and super-parallel motor combinations (where the other series have three), and the 78-wire cable to remote control the locomotive from a control car (Carrozza semipilota) or another Delfina-fitted locomotive.

Differences between locomotives can also be summed up as follows:

SeriesUnitsFeatures
1st001 - 104Motoalternators
2nd201-251Single static converter
3rd252-307Motoalternators
4th159-200Single Static converters (except unit 200)
5th401-5502 ARSA static converters
6th551-6082 ARSA static converters and Delfina control unit, for remote command.

Motors and electrical description

The locomotive has twelve 82/400 motors, with class B insulation, four per bogie.

They can be connected in the same combinations used on E.646:

Like their predecessors, E.656s have a rheostat (31 resistors subdivided in 21 packs, for a total resistance of 17,015 ohm) that, by varying its resistance, gradually regulates the current to the motors on starts, and on each time a transition to the next combination is made; however, differently from older Italian types, rheostatic exclusion is not controlled manually, by default.

Driver console of an E.656; the lever in the middle is the combination selector. Banco E656.jpg
Driver console of an E.656; the lever in the middle is the combination selector.

The driver selects the desired combination, which is automatically accomplished by a system which, through a particular array of logic gates and other components (capacitors, resistors, etc.), called "RAE" ( Relè Accelerazione Elettronico), controls a rotating device (called avviatore automatico). The driver selects the maximum exclusion current through a potentiometer on his desk, and the system, when the c.e.m.f. present in the motors brings the current (which is read by transducers) to a value lower than the set current, makes the avviatore advance, closing the rheostat contactors (thus shunting the relative resistors) as speed builds up, until it is totally excluded; similarly it may go backwards, when the current reaches high levels in relation to speed.

The different connections of the motors in the various combinations are accomplished by closing various contactors; their set-ups during transitions are handled by a device called "CEM" (Commutatore Escluditore Motori").

If rheostatic exclusion is needed to be controlled finely (e.g. on coupling maneuvers, or in case of a heavy train or poor adherence situations), the driver can use the "PAC" (Pomello Avanzamento Comandato), a small lever that makes the "avviatore automatico" advance or go backwards step by step (for "Series" combination only).

On Third series locomotives (official classification), many functions such as the ones of RAE, Avviatore Automatico, CEM, etc., are assumed by an electronic control unit (called Delfina) derived from the ones employed on FS Class E.444.

The rheostat is robust and designed to stand high currents, however it cannot for an excessive period of time, as there is the risk of overheating; the driver has to keep this in mind when driving. When the temperature is too high (greater than 200 °C or 392 °F), the "VR" (Ventilazione Reostato, Rheostat Fans) light starts to blink on the driver's console to warn him.

Auxiliary systems

The following components form the auxiliary systems:

They are fed in various ways, depending on the series:

Motor cooling fans are automatically activated when the reverser is in non-neutral position, while rheostat fans activate when the temperature into the rheostat's resistors reaches 65 °C or they are manually activated by the driver via an apposite button.

Significant units

Accidents and incidents

The E.655.403 (previously E.656.403), the unit involved in the Roma Casilina accident. E.655.403 - Giovinazzo.jpg
The E.655.403 (previously E.656.403), the unit involved in the Roma Casilina accident.
The E.655.175, the unit involved in Viareggio train derailment the morning after. 2009 Viareggio train accident surrounding damages 06.jpg
The E.655.175, the unit involved in Viareggio train derailment the morning after.

See also

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References

  1. "Aerial footage of train blast aftermath". BBC News Online. 30 June 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2009. (appears at 1m 09s)