At the end of World War II, as part of a broader plan for the rebuilding and resumption of services, including on an infrastructural level, the S.N.F.T. took the forward-thinking decision to switch from steam power to internal combustion traction, with a view to modernising the service while also saving money.
It should be noted that S.N.F.T.’s interest in combustion power pre-dated the war, with detailed studies into diesel railcar service on the Brescia-Bornato-Iseo-Edolo line dating back to the late 1930s.
This led to the entry into service in 1950 of the first diesel railcars, bought second-hand from other railway companies and put back into service. This was the first step in a massive, long-term and still ongoing development, which led in a few decades to the complete decommissioning of steam power, including for goods services. A span of 70 years separates the first diesel railcars, the An64 dating back to 1935, and the modern ATR115/125 of today, passing through periods of crisis and periods of major growth, demonstrating the continued development and improvement of the diesel-powered system.