The class was designed by the Sicula Network Research Office led by engineer Guglielmo Cappa as part of a renewal and unification programme to replace obsolete rolling stock inherited from the previous management.
They had some technical differences from other FS 0-8-0 locomotives, notably the use of Walschaerts valve gear instead of Stephenson.
Finally in 1903 another batch of 3 locomotives was built and delivered by Officine Meccaniche of Milan.
In 1906 the transfer to FS occurred, and the locomotives received the new four-digit markings 4101-4125 which later became 410.001-025.
The Class 410 locomotives, with a power output of 600 hp (450 kW), were versatile machines and designed for every type of use, although the small wheels (diameter 1,200 mm or 47 in) limited the speed to 45 km/h (28 mph).