Electric locomotive of the E.656 series
2nd batch, with side dampers, blue/gray color scheme

The electric locomotives of the E656 group are the further development of the FS articulated locomotives, which were originally introduced in 1940 with the E636. These locomotives have two half-axles on three two-axle bogies, each with two double motors. The E656 was first delivered to FS in November 1975 by Officine Casaralta in Bologna. The first series consisted of 104 units produced by various manufacturers. Interestingly, it was not the first locomotive that was recorded as "E656 001," but rather "E656 023" that was noted as the first of its series in history.

The locomotives of the E656 group were painted in pearl gray and oriental blue with a signal red panel at the seat bank and headlights. Originally, a different color scheme was planned, inspired by the TEE coaches, but this experiment was not pursued further. The locomotives were eventually delivered in blue/gray and retained this color scheme until the end of their production in 1989.