We use cookies to offer you the best possible browsing experience. We do not use profiling cookies; we collect aggregate statistical information to improve the functioning of the website. By continuing to browse the site or clicking on the OK button, you consent to the use of these cookies. To find out more, read our full disclosure.

We use cookies to offer you the best possible browsing experience. We do not use profiling cookies; we collect aggregate statistical information to improve the functioning of the website. By continuing to browse the site or clicking on the OK button, you consent to the use of these cookies. To find out more, read our full disclosure. Accept Reject

Virtual museum

Tank wagons

The Ferrovie Nord water transport wagons were used to supply drinking water to remote gatehouses along the line, which were not served by aqueducts, springs or wells. This necessity led FNM to equip itself from as early as 1883 with an X 0001 tank wagon. Other tank wagons were built in 1903 in Belgium by Metallurgique de Nivelles. The X 0003 wagon still exists today.
It was restored and fitted with a pump for supplying water to historic steam locomotives. It is occasionally included in historic train compositions. Water cranes for supplying steam locomotives with water have now disappeared from FNM stations. The wagon is fitted only with a hand brake. This was operated by the brakeman in response to signals from the driver. Or it is locked as a parking brake during stops. This is a 2-axle vehicle with spoked wheels, leaf spring suspension, and a steel frame with a flatbed partially covered with oak boards. A tank of thick riveted metal plates sits on the chassis, anchored by strong tie-rods.

 

Discover the train

Technical description
  • Design date: 1903
  • Build date: 1903
  • Tare weight: 8 tons
  • Load capacity: 16 tons
  • Service mass: 24 tons
  • Builder: Met. De Nivelles
  • Overall length: 8,880 mm
  • Rigid wheelbase: 3,650 mm
  • Maximum speed: 50 Km/h
  • Wheel Ø: 1,060 mm
  • Tank capacity: 10 m³ water
  • Height at pipe coupling: 3,090 mm
  • Braking system: hand
  • Brake pipe: yes
  • Livery: grey
    • Progettazione: 1903
    • Costruzione: 1903
    • Massa a vuoto: t.8
    • Portata: t.16
    • Massa in servizio: t.24
    • Costruttore: Met. De Nivelles
    • Lunghezza fuori tutto: 8.880 mm
    • Passo rigido: 3.650 mm
    • Velocita massima: 50 Km/h
    • Ruote Ø: 1.060 mm
    • Capacità cisterna: m³ 10 acqua
    • Altezza a bocchettone: 3.090 mm
    • Freno: a mano
    • Conduttura freno: sì
    • Livrea: grigio
    • Design date: 1903
    • Build date: 1903
    • Tare weight: 8 tons
    • Load capacity: 16 tons
    • Service mass: 24 tons
    • Builder: Met. De Nivelles
    • Overall length: 8,880 mm
    • Rigid wheelbase: 3,650 mm
    • Maximum speed: 50 Km/h
    • Wheel Ø: 1,060 mm
    • Tank capacity: 10 m³ water
    • Height at pipe coupling: 3,090 mm
    • Braking system: hand
    • Brake pipe: yes
    • Livery: grey

    Details

    The wagon is fitted with continuous brake air tubing to ensure braking of the other wagons in the train composition equipped with air brakes.
    The tank wagon fell out of use in the post-war period and spent much of the 1960s-1990s stationary in depots and company yards. It was however restored and repainted in 1979 to be displayed, together with the crane wagons and other freight wagons, in Cadorna station for the FNM centenary celebrated in the spring of that year.
    Following this, the X 0003 wagon fell back into disuse until the late 1990s. It was recovered as a historic vehicle for the heritage train, however, when the second FNM historic steam locomotive, the 240-05, returned to service. It was required to overcome the lack of water cranes for supplying the locomotives, which had been removed when the stations were modernised. This made it possible to restore it and guarantee a water supply for the steam locomotives. It has appeared in this role in many heritage events on both the Milan and Iseo networks.