My first contribution to Caprotti is a copy of an article in Hanomag Nachrichten, issue 131, September 1924 and a Caprotti leaflet of 1924, which I found inside this magazine. Both are in German, but hopefully the illustrations give some idea even to those who do not read German. Abb. 190 shows the first locomotive (FS 741.001) with Caprotti gear. Abb. 196 shows another class 741 and Abb. 197 the express locomotive, FS class 686. Abb. 198 is probably the main reason for this article, as it shows a Hanomah-built tank locomotive, obviously the first Caprotti locomotive built by them.
The Caprotti leaflet tells that class 686 locomotives are mainly used from Firenze (Florence) to Roma (Rome) ans Livorno. Class 741 freight locomotives are used from Foggia to Napoli (Naples), Termoli and Bari, except 741.007 which at the time was used in trials between Bologna and Milano (Milan). Page two gives the dates in use with Caprotti gear and the distance covered by each locomotive. Note 1) says "the first locomotive" and note 2) exhibit in Milan Trade Fair.
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As an Italian rail enthusiast, I know something more.
ReplyDeleteThe Caprotti valve gear was first tried on a FS 740 group locomotive; after it proved successful, it was decided that more locomotives should be fitted. Some were converted outright (mainly 740s and 685s groups); others were rebuilt from earlier non-superheated compound locomotives (mainly from the 600, 630 and 680 groups).
As for performance, in a book about the 685 group it was mentioned that a Caprotti 685 consumed 5% less coal and water than a normal 685, and it exhibited better acceleration and handling.