| DR Class 50.40 | |
|---|---|
| Number(s): | 50 4001–50 4088 |
| Quantity: | 88 |
| Manufacturer: | VEB Lokomotivbau Karl Marx, Babelsberg |
| Year(s) of manufacture: | 1956–1960 |
| Retired: | 1980 |
| Axle arrangement: | 1'E h2 |
| Type: | G 56.15 |
| Gauge: | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Length over buffers: | 22.6 m (74 ft 2 in) |
| Service weight: | 85.9 t (84.5 long tons; 94.7 short tons) |
| Adhesive weight: | 73.4 t (72.2 long tons; 80.9 short tons) |
| Axle load: | 14.2 t (14.0 long tons; 15.7 short tons) |
| Top speed: | 80 km/h (50 mph) (both directions) |
| Indicated Power: | 1,760 psi (12,100 kPa) |
| Coupled wheel diameter: | 1,400 mm (55.12 in) |
| Leading wheel diameter: | 850 mm (33.46 in) |
| Valve gear: | Walschaerts with lifting links |
| No. of cylinders: | 2 |
| Cylinder bore: | 600 mm (23.62 in) |
| Piston stroke: | 660 mm (26 in) |
| Boiler Overpressure: | 16 bar (1,600 kPa; 230 psi) |
| Grate area: | 3.71 m2 (39.9 sq ft) |
| Superheater area: | 68.5 m2 (737 sq ft) |
| Evaporative heating area: | 159.6 m2 (1,718 sq ft) |
| Tender: | 2`2 T 28 |
| Water capacity: | 28,000 l (6,200 imp gal; 7,400 US gal) |
| Fuel: | 10 t (9.8 long tons; 11 short tons) coal |
| Train heating: | Steam |
As well as modern passenger train locomotives, the DR in East Germany needed more goods train locomotives with a 15 t axle load. As a result, a parallel development, like those of the pre-war time, was initiated for a passenger train engine, the DR Class 23.10, and a goods train engine, the DR Class 50.40, in order that many of their components could be interchangeable. The running gear conformed broadly to that of the Einheitslok, but a sheet sheet frame had to be used, because sectional frames could no longer be worked. The boiler was a new build to modern construction standards with a combustion chamber and a mixer preheater. In terms of performance it was roughly comparable to the standard boiler, but was somewhat more economic in its fuel consumption. The locomotives were also given new tenders, the 2'2' T 28. The 88 engines, which were renumbered from 50 4001 to 50 4088, were delivered between 1956 and 1960. Number 50 4088 was therefore the last standard gauge steam engine to be newly built in Germany. They were permanently stationed on the routes over the plains in the northern railway divisions. Because the steel sheet frame soon proved to be the weakest link (with a high repair bill), the locos were taken out of traction service by 1980, but continued to be used as heating engines.
The Bavarian Railway Museum (Bayerische Eisenbahnmuseum) in Nördlingen has acquired the last preserved engine of this type, number 50 4073. It is currently in the Meiningen Steam Locomotive Works at and is awaiting external refurbishment.
Read more about this topic: DRB Class 50
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