FS E.646

The FS E.645 and E.646 are two classes of similar electric locomotives used on Italian railways. They were introduced during the 1950s and they were retired in 2009. History The E.646 and E.645 locomotives project was started in 1953, with a new model engine that was to be installed on the modified chassis of the already-existing six-axle locomotive E.636. A similar concept for a 4-axle locomotive led to the development of the E.444 high-speed locomotive in the 1960s. The first prototypes were delivered in October 1958. The first thirty-seven individual locomotives differed only in their livery: twenty built for passenger traffic were painted in grey-green, while seventeen built for goods were painted in auburn. Later, the freight locomotives were reclassed E.645. The total number of locomotives built amounted to 295 units. Initially, the class E.646 was assigned to fast and heavy passenger trains while the class E.645 was assigned to heavy cargo trains, though it occasionally pulled also passenger trains. Responding to the need for push-pull locomotives, units E.646 187 to 210 were manufactured with control circuits and connectors to be remotely commanded. With the availability of newer locomotive types the E.646 were replaced for fast passenger trains by E.444 and later by E.656 in long range passenger trains. Eventually most of the class E.646 was converted to FS Trenitalia push-pull services, while the remaining others were converted in E.645 and assigned to goods services until 2009. They were replaced by E.464 engines on regional services.