weird & wonderful continental steam loco

A scan of a postcard sized print from an assorted collection of photos inherited from my father. They are not by him. This one has a stamped number 41 923 on the back and a handwritten pencil 37. The electric loco looks like one of those big engines that were used on alpine routes. Can anyone identify the unusual design of loco? It looks as if someone has done a bit of kitbashing from the odds & ends box.
29.5.2014 - now, thanks to tarboat, we know that this is a Franco-Crosti boilered Italian Class 623.