Mariazellerbahn 0-8-4 Locomotives in Austria

Class Mh / 399 (Locobase 4799)

Data from Dr. R. Sanzin, "Die Lokomotiven auf der Intertionalen Austellung in Mailand 1906, 48. 4/6 gekuppelte Heissdampflokomotive der niederoesterreichischen Landesbahnen ...", Zeitschrift des Oesterreichischen Ingenieur- und Architeckten-Vereines, Vol LIX, Nr. 14 (5 April 1907), p 251.

Works numbers were 5431-5434 in 1906, 5924-5925 in 1908.

Established in the picturesque, if tortuous Pielach valley south of the Danube, this narrow-gauge line broke ground in 1896. Work on the Goesing tunnel began in 1904. The valley line portion was handled by the U class 0-6-2T, but the hilly portions needed more power, the MzB website [] explains. Six locomotives were procured, two compounds (see the MV record) and four superheated simple-expansion engines.

The Mh class proved superior and such was the demand on their services in the first year of use that two more were added in1908. A typical trainload of 120 tons could be pulled up a 2.7% grade from Summerhouse to Goesing at 19 mph (30 km/h). Although electrification followed soon after, some of the class remained in service until 1960.

External tube diameter was 46 mm.

Class Mv/299 (Locobase 4800)

Established in the picturesque, if tortuous Pielach valley south of the Danube, this narrow-gauge line broke ground in 1896. Work on the Goesing tunnel began in 1904. The valley line portion was handled by the U class, but the hilly portions needed more power, the MzB website [] explains. Six locomotives were procured, two compounds and 4 superheated simple-expansion engines (see Mh record at Locobase 4799).

When the Mh class proved superior, the Mv soon were converted into snow plows