In 1928, following the experience acquired in the three-phase high-voltage (10 kV) AC operation on the Rome - Sulmona line of the Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), a new locomotive, dual-voltage and dual-frequency, with a wheel arrangement of 1'D1' and a power output of 3,270 kW (4,390 hp), was designed and registered as FS Class E.471.

The early termination of the project caused severe economic difficulties for CEMSA so the company welcomed an order for four locomotives from FAV.

The first three units, E.440.1-2-3 were delivered in 1932 but the fourth, E.440.4, had to be built by Officine Meccaniche (OM) and Tecnomasio Italiano-Brown-Boveri (TIBB) following the economic difficulties of CEMSA.

The motion was transmitted to the wheels by articulated connecting rods using the Kando system with an idle jackshaft.

The locomotive had a rigid frame and the axle at the cab end had side play of 40 mm (1.6 in).