2-4-0 Steam Locomotives in Germany

Class A (1886) / Aa / 34.81 (Locobase 5749)

Data from Christian Lindecke's website [] (visited 28 Nov 2003) (translated by Google).

When the K.W.St.E evaluated the performance of its new A class i 1878, it was pleased enought to order another 15 with a larger firebox a few years later. The first five of this batch had the same 408-mm (16.06") cylinders as the 1878 design, but the last 10 stepped up to the 420-mm cylinders shown in the specs.

In 1896, the class was retrofitted with a new boiler pressed to 14 bar (199 psi). Although the new DRG gave class numbers to two surviving members (34.8101-34.8102) in 1923, they were retired within a year.

Class A / Aa (Locobase 5748)

Data fromChristian Lindecke's website [], last accessed 28 November 2003) (translated by Google)

To operate its heavy express trains over the K.W.St.E's hilly profile, the railroad built ten new 2-4-0s in 1878 and added fifteen more between 1886 and 1891; these had boilers operating at a higher pressure. The stayless Maeg boiler had decent size for the arrangement and, according to Lindecke, a large steam dome. In 1896, the class was retrofitted with a new boiler pressed to 14 bar (199 psi).

Class Ac / BR 34.82 (Locobase 5823)

Christian Lindecke's website [] (visited 28 Nov 2003) (translated by Google) is the source for this information.

When five trial 2-4-0 locomotives based on the Aa design were first tested with a cross-compound layout, they were apparent failures, says Lindecke. Not only was pulling power less than desired, but coal consumption was higher -- a fatal combination. Suspicion fell on the 12-bar pressure setting.

Redesigning the boiler to operate 2 bar higher proved to be the answer and series production of 31 engines began soon thereafter and continued until 1897. Tonnage ratings were quite satisfactory: 185 tons on the level at 80 km/h (50 mph) and 100 tons up a 1% grade at 50 km/h (31 mph).

When the DRG incorporated the 9 surviving locomotives into the national system in the 1920s, they became the BR 34.82s.

Class B 3 (Locobase 5747)

Data from Christian Lindecke's website [] (visited 28 November 2003) (translated by Google).

Lindecke noted that the K.W.St.E. took 4-4-0 locomotives of three different classes (III, V, & VII--Locobase 5743-5744 and 5747) and updated them all to a common boiler and wheel arrangement.

A photograph shows the absolutely enormous cylindrical steam dome just behind the capped stack and ahead of the smaller sand cylinder.

Class D / B1 (Locobase 5822)

Data from Christian Lindecke's website [] (visited 28 Nov 2003) (translated by Google).

According to Lindecke, the failure of the Class B 4-4-0s (Locobase 5821) soured the K.W.St.E on that arrangement and they plumped for this compact, short-wheelbase, dual-service design. After the first four proved themselves, series production of the B 1 class continued for the next 10 years. A classic Continental 2-4-0, these engines had smokebox and firebox overhanging the wheelbase and two steam domes, one small and one large.

A comparison in Locobase shows that, compared to the earlier designs, the boiler was at last big enough to supply the cylinders at a reasonable speed. It's probably that reason , plus a relatively low axle loading, that led to the decades of service this class provided in its original configuration. The last was retired in 1913.