Ex BR Class 03s, Class 06 and Class 07 exported to Trieste, Italy

Ex BR Diesel Shunting Locomotives Exported to Italy - top page

During 1977 Shipbreaking (Queenborough) exported 03157, 03164, D2432 and 07009 from their yard at Queenborough to Trieste, Italy.

It is known that these were initially stored at a disused factory at or adjacent to the premises of Acciaieria Ferriera Adriatica (A.F.A) in the docks area of Trieste after arrival (see pictures below). They were still present in August 1978 but no subsequent reports of them there have been received. A.F.A. itself was actually just a holding company (a steel warehouse in effect, used for import/export purposes)?, part of the much larger Lombarde Falck (now Gruppo Falck) enterprise. A.F.A. in Trieste seems to have gone out of business around 1973 and these buildings were reported out-of-use by 1974.

Published information though suggests that all four went to the Lucchini Group steelworks at Servola, Trieste, Italy but no observations or photographs have yet emerged confirming this.

In fact, research so far has only come up with subsequent confirmed sightings / photographs of two of the four after they left Trieste if indeed all four ever left.

The set of pictures below shows the four locomotives that reached Trieste in 1977.

03157 was one of four locomotives exported to Italy in 1977. During the summer of that year it was photographed with the other three, 03164, D2432 & 07009 either at or adjacent to the premises of Acciaieria Ferriera Adriatica in the docks area of Trieste. Giorgio Grissla

03164 was one of four locomotives exported to Italy in 1977. During the summer of that year it was photographed either at or adjacent to the premises of Acciaieria Ferriera Adriatica in the docks area of Trieste. Giorgio Grissla

D2432 was on of four locomotives exported to Italy in 1977. During the summer of that year it was photographed either at or adjacent to the premises of Acciaieria Ferriera Adriatic in the docks area of Trieste. What then became of it is far from clear. Gorgio Grisilla

Recent research by David Gregory casts doubt on the Servola reference. David says that a list of all Lombarde Falck holdings show no evidence of any link to the Servola steelworks which was actually part of the ILVA company – known simply as ‘Italsider’ at the time of the locomotives’ export to Trieste. Servola has since changed hands and names several times! In fact, any documentation that suggests that Ex BR locomotives were exported for use by Lucchini at Servola is an anachronism – Lucchini group did not have any holding/interest at Servola until 1995.

It is though reported that the Servola Steel Works received several locomotives from Germany in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s to replace the Ex-BR locomotives. However, nothing has emerged to confirm Ex-BR locomotives were ever there. Exactly what then happenned to the Ex-BR locomotives, if indeed they were ever there, is far from clear. It is reported D2432 was scrapped, 03157 and 03164 were rebuilt by IPE, Verona and then used at Chiari steelworks and scrapped in May 1997, whilst 07009 passed to Attilio Rossi, Rome. The subsequent story of 03157 and 03164 is confirmed by pictures and observations but no evidence of the fates of D2432 and 07009 has emerged.

In an attempt to establish as clear a picture as is possible about the Italian history of these locomotives, anyone with information is invited to contact Peter Hall. In particular sightings of the locomotives in Italy, giving details of date and location are welcomed. Photographs of these locomotives in Italy are also very much welcomed.

Briefly, what is known about each of the four locomotives can be found by clicking on the individual locomotive number below. It should be noted that in some cases this contradicts what may have been published elsewhere. Thus the need to compile as much information as is possible about these locomotives.

Details of all the Ex BR locomotives exported to Italy can be found here.

This page is maintained by Peter Hall.