several 0-4-4 Locomotives in Denmark

Class P (Locobase 4003)

Data from WilliamBay, Danmarks Damplokomotiver (1977). Class data from []. See also A Gregersen of the Danske Damploko site ([]) . Works numbers were Hohenszollern 196-201 in 1882 and Esslingen 2003-2008 in 1883.

These dozen unusual tanks were designed by the renowned Otto Busse to operate on the Danish light railway system, which flanked roadsides in the same way as could be found in Ireland and France (e.g.). Three of the railways cited in the Jernbane.dk site were the Thy-, Salling- and Assensbanen.

The rear truck supported a long, low tank and bunker behind the cab. Otto Busse patented the linkage he used to steer the rear bogie through curves. According to Gregersen, the system was similar to the Engerth patent, but simplified.

Forward of the cab were the usual tall, brass-covered dome and inversely tapered stack. An added feature was the large whistle on the dome, doubtless to warn pedestrians and livestock of the little locomotive's approach.

The class was produced by Hohenzollern (6 in 1882, road numbers P 123-P 128) and Esslingen (6 in 1883, road numbers P 103-P 105, P120-P 122).

After 20 years in service, the DSB sold off all of the engines to private railways. Locobase takes this opportunity to explore the myriad railway companies one can encounter when looking at any country's rail system over a 150-year period ...

The first four P-class engines (P 10-3-P 105, P 120) went to theThisted - Fjerritslev Jernbane (TFJ) as road numbers 1-4, from which they retired and were scrapped in 1915, 1923 (2), and 1928, respectively.

P 121 made many stops in its career. From the DSB, it went first to the Hads-Ning Herreds Jernbane (HHJ) in 1904 as #7, then in 1917 to the Troldhede - Kolding - Vejen Jernbane (TKVJ) as #10, from thence to the Ryomgsrd - Gjerrild - Grens Jernbane (RGGJ) in 1927 as #4 (2nd). There it remained until withdrawn in 1951, sold to Habenichts Produkthandel i Horsens, and scrapped. Two others that accompanied the P 121 to the HHJ in 1904 were P 127 and P 128, renumbered 5 & 6. HHJ 5 remained with the HHJ until it was sabotaged in 1945 (perhaps during the German retreat from Denmark), withdrawn, and scrapped in 1947. The HHJ sold number 6 to the RGGJ as their #4 (1st)

P 122 and P 125 went to the K'benhavn - Slangerup Banen (KSB) in 1905 and donned road numbers 5-6. 5 remained in service until it was withdrawn and scrapped in 1937. 6 soldiered on until 1948, when it was withdrawn and donated to the Railway Museum (Jernbanemuseet).

P 123 was sold to the Randers - Hadsund Jernbane (RHJ) in 1904 as road #1 (1st) and served for more than 3 decades before being withdrawn and scrapped in 1935.

P 124 and P 126 went to the tiny Helsing'r - Hornb'k Banen (HHB) where, as #2 and #3, they comprised half of the stud. The HHB was reorganized as the Helsing'r - Hornb'k - Gilleleje Banen, (HHGB) in 1916. #2 was retired and scrapped 2 years later while #3 operated until 1936.