0-8-0 Steam Locomotives in Italy

Ferrovie Nord Milano


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 401/240 (Locobase 6175)

Data from digilander.libero.it/sam700/storia200.htm; and [], last accessed 13 April 2026. (Thanks to Ivo Rutishauser for his 7 April 2026 email correcting the history of the last two locomotives in this class.). SA St Leonard works numbers were 1515-1518 in 1907. La Meuse works numbers were 2161-2165 in 1909. Henschel & Sohn works numbers were 11356-11357 in 1912.

Bought in batches of four (St Leonard) and five (La Meuse), FNM's 240s (rated at 900 horsepower) proved up to the task of hauling the heavier trains for which they were designed. Superheating undoubtedly aided in offsetting the small size of the boiler. They rated at 60 km/h (38 mph) forward, 40 km/h reverse. The La Meuse locomotives differed from the first four in having the steam dome placed farther forward on the boiler and the use of a Friedman injector.

Noting the FNM's success, the neighboring Ferrovia Brianza Centrale (FBC), which operated the Monza-Molteno-Oggiono line in 1912, ordered two of the same design by Henschel & Sohn. These proved to be too much engine for the FBC and the FNM bought them to complete the 401 class.

Beginning in the 1930s, the FNM began electrifying the railway and disposing of some of the 240s. The earlier two St Leonards went to work the Funvie San Giuseppe di Savona cableways sidings in1937-1938 while the latter siblings joined the Società Ferrovia Biella Novara (SFBN) in 1949-1940.

As final disposals began in 1950s, the FNM sold the first four La Meuses to The Celestri company for dismantling in 1953-1954.

The other three (La Meuse 1, Henschel 2) went to the Savona harbor company in 1952-1954 as EA 3. 2, and 1. (Savona lies about 60 miles (96 km) northeast of Monaco on the Ligurian coast.)

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class401/240
Locobase ID6175
RailroadFerrovie Nord Milano
CountryItaly
Whyte0-8-0
Number in Class11
Road Numbers401-411/240.01-.11
GaugeStd
Number Built11
BuilderSA Saint Leonard
Year1907
Valve GearTrick
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)14.76 / 4.50
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)14.76 / 4.50
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase1
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)132,718 / 60,200
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)132,718 / 60,200
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)1373 / 5.20
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT) 1.70 / 2
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)55 / 27.50
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)52 / 1322
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)159.50 / 1080
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)21.65" x 23.62" / 550x600
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)28,865 / 13092.96
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.60
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)118.36 / 11
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)25.82 / 2.40
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1237 / 115
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)344 / 32
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1581 / 147
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume122.91
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation4118
Same as above plus superheater percentage5024
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area23,032
Power L16764
Power MT449.44

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