Sunday Streamline #51: Electric Eels

This shot was taken more than two decades ago:

The trainsets don't look outdated even today. But they were built before WWII. In the 1930s the Italian state railways, Ferrovie dello Stato, electrified the main line Milan-Bologna-Florence-Rome-Naples and needed a fast train to use on it and on other newly-electrified lines. The ETR 200 project was started in 1934, using new technologies for sheetmetal and aerodynamics. The innovative nose of the train was developed after studies in the wind tunnel at the Politecnico di Torino engineering university.

The first example was built by Società Italiana Ernesto Breda in 1936. It was articulated, with three cars (one 1stclass, 35 seats and two 2nd class, 69 seats) on four bogies, two of which had a single 175 kW T 62-R-100 motor while the others were provided with two similar motors each. Total power output was 1,050 kW.

The train had been designed for speeds up to 175 km/h, but the original pantographs caused problems over 130 km/h. After intensive tests and improvements, the ETR 200 entered service in 1937 on the Bologna-Rome-Naples line. They were considered the most comfortable and fast trains in Europe. First batch of six units (numbered 201-206) was an instant success, and Breda was commissioned another batch of eight trainsets, all first-class, designated Treno di lusso (luxury train).

On December 6, 1937 the ETR 212 established, in the central sector of the Rome-Naples line (Campoleone-Cisterna), a new top speed record by running at 201 km/h. On 20 July 1939, the ETR 212 driven by chief macchinista (engine driver) Mr.Alessandro Cervellati, established a new world record running at 203 km/h from Pontenure to Piacenza, on the Milan-Bologna line. A popular myth says that Benito Mussolini himself was at the controls, but is only a myth and nothing more. Actually, there were French railway engineers aboard, and Antonio Stefano Benni, the Minister of Communications, accompanied Cervelatti in driver's compartment. After a mind-boggling ride (medium speed - 165 km/h) Benni sent an enthusiastic telegram to Il Duce.

Third batch was ordered in 1939, but the production was halted by World War II, and most ETR 200's were damaged by Allied bombings. In the early 1960s the remaining sixteen units were converted to ETR 220/230/240 by adding a fourth car and other changes. They remained in service until the early 1980s, and were later used for charter trains up until the 1990s. Unit ETR 232, former 212, has been converted as a historical train and is in full working order. Another unit is stored in Ancona.

Of course, the 200's were superfast and very comfortable but their appearance was not unique. Two classes of similar looking electric units, lighter, smaller and non-articulated, were produced by Breda, Fiat/Marelli, Savigliano, CGE-OM and Ansaldo in 1938-1946.

The ALe 792/782 class (13 motor units and 61 cars built), powered by 340 kW electric motors, had 79 (or 78) seats for 2nd and 3rd class passengers.

The Ale 880 (118 built) had the same power output and 88 seats, all 3rd class. Top speed was 130 km/h.

Besides, there was an additional class, 883, 40 motor units and 20 cars built by Breda and Fiat/Marelli from 1942 through 1946, with more powerful engines and more comfortable seats. They served until mid-1990s. One 883.001/007 motrice/car unit is preserved and restored at Cremona.