FS Class 830 I

The FS Class 830 was a series of 0-6-0T tank locomotives used by the Italian State Railways (FS) for shunting duties from 1903 to the 1940s. Initially built for the Rete Mediterranea (RM) as RM 6807–6820, these locomotives were closely related to the earlier RM 6801-6806, later FS 829 [it] and served as the direct predecessors to the FS 835 [it]. Some components of decommissioned FS 830 locomotives were repurposed for constructing locomotives of the FS 234 [it] and E.321 and E.322 groups.

FS Class 830 I
RM 6820 "Niagara" locomotive, later FS 830.014, brand new in 1903
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Breda Build date 1903–1906 Total produced 44
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0T Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Coupled dia. 1,310 millimetres (4.30 ft) Length 8,960 millimetres (29.40 ft) Width 4,205 millimetres (13.796 ft) Loco weight 45.2 tonnes (100,000 lb) Cylinders Two, outside
Performance figures Tractive effort 6,300 kg (13,900 lb)
Career Operators Italian State Railways Withdrawn 1940 Preserved 5

History

Design and construction

The FS Class 830 locomotives were designed by the Technical Office in Turin of the Rete Mediterranea.^[1] Based on the earlier RM 6801–6806, the first batch of 14 locomotives, numbered RM 6807–6820, was delivered in 1903.^[1][2] Following the nationalization of the railways in 1905, the Italian State Railways commissioned an additional 30 units between 1905 and 1906.^[1][2] These 44 locomotives formed the FS Class 830, initially numbered 8301–8344, and from 1918, renumbered as 830.001–044.^[1][2] They were primarily assigned to shunting duties at locomotive depots in Turin, Alessandria, and Novara. By December 31, 1922, their distribution included Turin Smistamento [it] (26), Casale Monferrato (2), Novara (12), Bra (2), and Asti (2).^[3]

Decomissioning

Decommissioning of the FS Class 830 began in the 1930s. Several units were transferred to private railway companies, public entities, or industrial firms for shunting and line services.^[2][4] In 1952, four units (830.007, 010, 016, and 021)^[2] were sold to Impresa Lagorara (IL), which operated shunting services at the port of Genoa alongside Impresa Manovre & Affini (IMA). When FS assumed control of these operations in 1969, these locomotives were reacquired and integrated into a new FS Class 830 group, with renumbering that coincidentally preserved the original registration for 830.007.^[5][6] These reacquired units were decommissioned by 1971.^[2] Additionally, in 1952, IMA purchased five FS 830 locomotives, which were not reacquired by FS in 1969.^[5][6]

Other units were transferred to various entities. In 1936, two locomotives, including 830.001, were sold to Cockitalia for use at its Bragno plant siding.^[7][8] Additional units were transferred to Montecatini and ILVA.^[8] Between 1939 and 1941, eleven units were assigned to the Ministry of the Navy for arsenal sidings, with 830.039 still in service at La Spezia in 1969.^[9] From 1939 to 1942, units 830.021 and 042 were leased to Ferrovie Torino Nord [it] for line services.^[8] The 830.006 remained operational as late as January 1987.^[10]

The FS Class 830 design influenced the development of the more numerous FS Class 835.^[11] Frames and wheel arrangements from some decommissioned 830s were reused to construct locomotives of the FS Class 234, E.321, and E.322 groups.^[12]

Technical details

The FS Class 830 locomotives were saturated steam locomotives with simple-expansion, twin-cylinder engines.^[1] They were divided into two subgroups:^[1]

• 830.001–014: The initial batch, based on the RM 6807–6820 design.^[1]
• 830.015–044: A later batch with a longer frame for larger coal bunkers and a wider chimney to enhance boiler performance.^[1]

The boiler, larger than that of the FS Class 829 due to additional fire tubes, produced approximately 7% more steam.^[1] During major repairs, some units were fitted with boilers from the FS Class 835 (specifically subgroup 835.317–370), which were later standardized across the 835 group.^[8][13]

Preservation

Several FS Class 830 locomotives are preserved in museums across Italy:

• RM 6807 (FS 830.001), built by Breda in 1902, located at Italiana Coke, Vado Ligure (Savona).^[10]
• RM 6812 (FS 830.006), built by Breda in 1902 (construction number 618), displayed at "Casello 33" of the former Ferrara-Modena railway [it], Ravarino (Modena).
• RM 6816 (FS 830.010), built by Breda in 1902 (construction number 622), preserved at the Center for the History of Railways and Tramways, Bologna^[10].
• FS 830.017, built by Breda in 1906 (construction number 758), exhibited at the Ex-Breda Industrial Archaeological Park [it], Sesto San Giovanni^[14].
• FS 830.035, built by Breda in 1906 (construction number 776), located at Selva Pergusina Park, Pergusa (Enna).^[10]