Societa Italiana di Ferrovie e Tramvie(SIFT 0-4-0 Locomotives in Italy

Class 25 (Locobase 20022)

Data from Robinson, Bertling & Eckenstein (translators), "Arn. Jung, Lokomotiv-Fabrik", Modern Railway Practice (Reimar Hobbing, London-New York-Berlin, 1913), p. 39. Data on order size, names, and works numbers from Wikipedia's "Societa Italiana Ferrovie e Tramvie" at [], last accessed 27 September 2015; the PicenzAntica website at [], last accessed 27 September 2015; and Karl Baedeker, Northern Italy including Leghorn, Florence, Ravenna and routes through France, Switzerland, and Austria (Leipzig: Karl Baedeker, 1913), p. 248. . Works numbers were 1262-1267 in 1908.

Wikipedia's list of SIFT motive power includes names for all of the tram motors. The Jung motors were dubbed Sarmato, Rottofreno, Grazzano, San Giorgio, Roncaglia, and San Nazzaro. These were among the first tram motors bought by the SIFT, which inherited two dozen from predecessors in 1906.

The PiacenzAntica account credits the original idea to build steam tramways in Piacenza to experience in Lombardy. As with the French CF de l'Interet Local, the tramways less demanding speed and right-of-way requirements offered an less-expensive alternative to railway branch lines. One significant difference was in the adoption of the standard gauge.

Concessions were awarded to the "English Company" (Bettola Piacenza and Cremona Tramway Company Ltd), which ran lines from Piacenza to Bettola and Cremona and from Grazzano to Visconti-Rivergaro. Dolfus and Company, a French-owned company, built lines to Castel San Giovanni Pianello Nibbiano and to Carpaneto Lugagnano and from Cremona to Fiorenzuola Castell'Arquato Lugagnano

Like tramways in such countries as Belgium and Ireland, much of the right-of-way shared space with existing roadways.

The Dolfus & Company lines were taken over by the Italian State in 1906 with the English Company following two years later.

PiacenzAntica notes the genuine value of the tramway system. Most trains offered mixed service for passengers and freight. The well-known Baedeker travel guide described a 19 1/2 mile (31.4 km) journey taking between 1 1/2 and 2 hours: "The road (comp. PI. D, 5) intersects the plain on the right bank of the Po} after crossing the river with its numerous islands, and at Caoreo crosses the river formed by the Chiavenna and Riglio. We cross the Nure at Roncaglia and proceed to the W. to Piacenza."

But it was the freight was important, says PiacenzAntica. Stones from the Nure river traveled along the SIFT to Cremona to be laid as embankments along the Po river. Cement marl from a Biana mine in Bettola went into Piacenza cement.

Steam-hauled trains were replaced by electric service in 1927.