Micro Metakit 96800H Italian Photo Grey Pacific Express Loco Class 691 of the FS

Very Rare Model only 80 were made Worldwide. Prototype: The Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS; Italian State Railways) Class 691, also known as Gruppo 691 in Italian, stands as a pinnacle among locomotives, boasting the 4-6-2 'Pacific' configuration. Renowned as the swiftest and most potent locomotives ever to grace the Italian railways, they emerged from a pivotal era in the late 1920s. The FS recognized the need for a new breed of locomotives tailored for mainline express operations, as the incumbent Class 690 struggled due to its limited steam capacity, particularly evident with the smaller firebox resulting in inferior performance compared to the lighter Class S.685 2-6-2 locomotives. Initially envisioned as the Class 695, plans were thwarted by the imposing axle load, necessitating costly line reinforcements—an unfeasible investment with electrification gaining momentum. Thus, a more pragmatic approach prevailed, focusing on refurbishing the existing Class 690 locomotives to enhan