DRG Class 56.2–8
| DRG Class 56.2–8 DB Class 056 DR Class 56.1 ÖBB 656 PKP Class Tr5 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Quantity: | 691 |
| Retired: | 1970 |
| Wheel arrangement: | 2-8-0 |
| Axle arrangement: | 1'D h2 |
| Gauge: | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Service weight: | 74.6 t (73.4 long tons; 82.2 short tons) |
| Adhesive weight: | 64.1 t (63.1 long tons; 70.7 short tons) |
| Axle load: | 16.2 t (15.9 long tons; 17.9 short tons) |
| Top speed: | 70 km/h (43 mph) |
| Indicated Power: | 927 kW (1,243 hp) |
| Driving wheel diameter: | 1,350 mm (53.15 in) |
| Leading wheel diameter: | 800 mm (31.50 in) |
| No. of cylinders: | 2 |
| Cylinder bore: | 600 mm (23.62 in) |
| Piston stroke: | 660 mm (25.98 in) |
| Grate area: | 2.58 m2 (27.8 sq ft) |
| Superheater area: | 51.88 m2 (558.4 sq ft)² |
| Evaporative heating area: | 146.04 m2 (1,572.0 sq ft) |
| Tender: | pr 3 T 16.5/20 pr 2'2' T 21.5 |
| Water capacity: | 16.5 m3 (580 cu ft) 20.0 m3 (710 cu ft) 21.0 m3 (740 cu ft) |
Between 1934 and 1941 the Deutsche Reichsbahn (DRG) converted a total of 691 former Prussian-built Class 55.25–56 steam locomotives; the result was the DRG Class 56.2–8. The carrying axle enabled higher speeds and the engine could even be used as a passenger train locomotive. In addition the average axle load was lower, so that these locomotives could also be used on branch lines. The conversion entailed moving the boiler forward and raising it somewhat. The vehicles were given operating numbers between 56 201 and 56 891, although the numbering was not continuous.
The Deutsche Bundesbahn took over 368 of the 410 remaining engines after the Second World War and retired them by 1968. The last one was 56 241, that was to have been allocated the number 056 241-3. The East German Deutsche Reichsbahn retired their last locomotives (now called the DR Class 56.1) by the end of 1970.
Numbers 56 218, 258, 317, 543 and 598 remained in Austria after the war, locomotives 56 317 and 543 retiring as early as 1953. The remaining engines formed the Austrian ÖBB Class 656. All three were withdrawn by 1956.
The engines left in Poland after 1945 were given the PKP classification Tr5. One locomotive, the Tr5-65, is preserved at Wolsztyn.
The vehicles were coupled with Prussian tenders of class 3 T 16.5, 3 T 20 or 2'2' T 21.5.
See also
- List of DRG locomotives and railbuses
- List of Prussian locomotives and railbuses
External links
- There is a relevant English-language forum at Railways of Germany
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