Dollartbahn 0-4-0 Locomotives in Germany

Class Dollart/Borkum (Locobase 5133)

See [] for data and details. Relatively powerful O&K engine (works #13571) worked in northwestern Germany first as Dollart (after the border region between Germany and Holland), then Borkum.

Borkum was retired from regular service in 1962, but ran periodically until 1968 to celebrate the narrow-gauge Borkum railway's 80th anniversary. Then the locomotive was immobilized as a monument.

In 1992, the Borkum was restored to service, but its boiler was worn. So she was taken in hand for a complete overhaul by Meiningen in 1996 at a total cost of 620,000 DM.

In the process, her old riveted boiler with copper firebox was replaced by a brand-new SLM-produced welded-steel boiler in which the grate for coal-burning was replaced by five eddy-current oil burners of which one is the pilot and the other four the actual fuel-suppliers. The boiler itself has 79 1.5" (OD) tubes and 8 4.5"-flues, the latter containing the 1.06" (inside diameter) superheater elements. Heating surface area is 285 sq ft (26.5 sq m). 50 mm (1.97") of insulation under the lagging helps limit stress on the boiler by preventing fast cool-downs at station stops or when the fire is "dropped" in the yard.

Trofimoff piston valves replaced the earlier systems to reduce friction and wear.

Once returned to service on 27 February 1997, the new engine proved capable of generating 2,200 kg (4,850 lb) of steam per hour. Superheat temperature was 400 deg C.