Around 1930 a new type of trains appeared all over Europe: self-propelled railcars powered by liquid fuel, consisting of a single unit with an open interior including the driver's seat. The German Schienenbus looked like a bus that was put on the rails. In Italy, a car manufacturer took this concept to a higher level. The Fiat automotrici were modern, efficient and beautifully designed. The Littorina can be regarded as a co-production of Mussolini and Fiat president Agnelli. The new train type helped achieve Mussolini's political goals, proudly carrying the symbol of his fascist party on its front. Agnelli was able to realize his ambitions for Fiat's railway division — as far as in Africa. In 1932 the new petrol railcar took Mussolini, Fiat chairman Agnelli and other guests to Littoria. The name of this newly built city was based on an ancient Roman symbol the fascists had seized. A journalist of Mussolini's own newspaper named the new train after the city: Littorina. Agnelli was charmed by this somewhat fascistoid name and adopted it. From that time on, all Fiat railcars from the 1930s were called Littorina. The name was used in promotional materials as well as in maintenance guides. Narrow gauge Littorinas were shipped to Libya and Italian East Africa. Since 1936 they connected the port of Massawa with the Eritrean capital of Asmara. With 68 km/h they were almost twice as fast as steam trains. Today a couple of Littorinas can still be found in Eritrea, unfortunately, no more in running order. Source: Fiat self-propelled railcars of the Mussolini era La Littorina by Arjan den Boer
