Prussian G 7.1

The Prussian Class G 7.1 engines of the Prussian state railways were German eight-coupled, goods train, steam locomotives.

Prussian G 7.1 DRG Class 55.0–6 ÖBB Class 655
55 669 in Potsdam (17.5.93)
Number(s)	DRG 55 001–660, 661–674, 681–683
Quantity	1,202
Manufacturer	Vulcan and others
Year(s) of manufacture	1893 - 1917
Retired	1966
Wheel arrangement	0-8-0
Axle arrangement	D n2
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Length over buffers	16,613 mm (54 ft 6.1 in)
Service weight	52.6 t (51.8 long tons; 58.0 short tons)
Adhesive weight	52.6 t (51.8 long tons; 58.0 short tons)
Axle load	14.7 t (14.5 long tons; 16.2 short tons)
Top speed	45 km/h (28 mph)
Indicated Power	485 kW (650 hp)
Driving wheel diameter	1,250 mm (49.21 in)
No. of cylinders	2
Cylinder bore	520 mm (20.47 in)
Piston stroke	630 mm (24.80 in)
Boiler Overpressure	12 bar (1,200 kPa; 170 psi)
Grate area	2.22 m^2 (23.9 sq ft)
Evaporative heating area	151.21 m^2 (1,627.6 sq ft)
Tender	pr 3 T 12/16.5
Water capacity	12.0 m^3 (2,600 imp gal; 3,200 US gal) / 16.5 m^3 (3,600 imp gal; 4,400 US gal)

History

They were first built in 1893 by the firm of Stettiner Maschinenbau AG Vulcan, but later by the other larger Prussian locomotive manufacturers as well. The boiler was the same as that of the G 5.1.

The locomotives were intended for heavy goods duties especially on hilly routes. As a result, most of the engines went to the western German and Silesian railway divisions. By 1909, 1,002 examples had been delivered to the Prussian state railways. During the First World War simple and robust locomotives were required for military use. As a result, in 1916/1917 a further 200 G 7.1s were built. From 1916, the k.u.k. Heeresbahn in Austria had 35 units of the Class G 7.1 which it named the Class 274. They were intended for use on the broad gauge Russian Railways. The Lübeck-Büchen Railway also bought three G 7.1s, which had been manufactured in 1898 by Schwartzkopff. Another seven engines went to the Gutehoffnungshütte. Even the Palatinate Railway placed 27 of its G 4' in service; the design of these was based on the Prussian G 7.1.

In 1923 the Deutsche Reichsbahn took over no less than 680 from the Prussian state railways into its renumbering plan; in 1925 they listed locomotive numbers 55 001–660. In 1935 13 more came from the Saar railways and one from France into the Reichsbahn fleet as 55 661-673 and 55 674. The three G 7.1s with the Lübeck-Büchen Railway were given numbers 55 681–683 in 1938.

In the Second World War 105 G 7.1s were taken over from Poland into the Reichsbahn's inventory. They were given the numbers of engines already retired. In addition, G 7.1 engines from Lithuania were added as numbers 55 274 and 55 691-694.

After the Second World War, the locomotives that ended up in the Deutsche Bundesbahn were mainly used in shunting duties and were retired by 1957. In the Deutsche Reichsbahn in East Germany the last G 7.1 was not retired until 1966, including number 55 642.

Preserved locomotives

Locomotive 55 669 was retired in 1964 and has been displayed since in the Dresden Transport Museum in Dresden. Photograph of the 55 669

Locomotives 55 196, 393, 400, 493 and 553 were left in Austrian territory after the Second World War. Apart from 55 553, which had been taken over by 1950, the ÖBB incorporated them into their ÖBB Class 655, retaining their serial numbers. The last one, 655.393, was withdrawn in 1957. Its task had been shunting at Stadlau station.

The vehicles were equipped with tenders of classes pr 3 T 12 and pr 3 T 16.5 (built 1916/17).

See also

• Prussian state railways
• List of Prussian locomotives and railcars

References