Waldenburgerbahn 0-6-0 Locomotives in Switzerland

Class 4 (Locobase 6331)

Data from [] (29 Oct 2004) for Gedeon Thommen (5), the little side tank that served the Waldenburger for 51 years in normal service. Confirmed by [] (10 NOv 2004), which tells us that the other two in the class were named Langenbruck (4) and Waldenburger (6).

4 came from SLM in 1910 (works #2090), taking the number of the first #4, which had proved a failure; See Locobase 6338. the second #4 operated until 1953, when it was sold for scrap. GedeonThommen (5) was first in this class (SLM works #1440), arriving in 1902.. Finally came 6 in 1912 (works #2276). This last locomotive was deactivated in 1953 and preserved in non-operating condition beginning in 1959.

After its retirement in 1953, the locomotive lay idle until 1980, when it was restored to museum service. It is rated at 60 tons (firebox pressed to 14 bar). Maximum speed is 25 km/h (15 mph) and drawbar tractive effort is 1,900 kg (4,189 lb).

Class Dubs (Locobase 6337)

Data from [] (10 November 2004). The Waldenburgerbahn is located in the north central part of Switzerland and covers 13.1 km (8.1 miles) from Waldenburg north to Liestal.

This modest design was still a considerable upgrade from the two previous locomotives on this narrow-gauge line. In 1903, Dubs received a new boiler identical to that of the 1902 SLM engine; see Locobase 15648.

Class Dubs (Locobase 15648)

Data from [] (10 November 2004).

Locobase 6337 shows the original 1882 specifications of this locomotive. In 1903, Dubs received a new boiler identical to that of the 1902 SLM engine. Compared to the 1882 version, the vessel featured a deeper firebox and a few more tubes.

So converted, it served the WB in freight, then (after 1915) pusher duties until 1940, when it was sold to a private operator who used it as a stationary boiler.

Class Waldenburg (Locobase 6338)

Data from [] (10 Nov 2004). Works number was 458 and original cost was 17,700 Swiss Francs.

Although fitted with a larger firebox, this locomotive's drivetrain proved maintenance-hungry. Inclined to a relatively high degree and driving on the second axle, the locomotive almost immediately proved unreliable. Unlike the 3 (Locobase 6337), the WB's first #4 was retired by 1910.