DRG Class 23 explained

DRB Class 23
DR Class 23.0
DR Class 35.20
Bgcolor:A00
Color:FFF
Powertype:Steam
Builder:Schichau-Werke
Serialnumber:3443–3444
Builddate:1941
Totalproduction:2
Uicclass:1′C1′ h2
Drgtype:P 35.18
Leadingdiameter:1000frac=8NaNfrac=8
Driverdiameter:1750frac=8NaNfrac=8
Trailingdiameter:1250frac=8NaNfrac=8
Tenderdiameter:1000frac=8NaNfrac=8
Engine Total:10700frac=8NaNfrac=8
Over Headstocks:21640frac=8NaNfrac=8
Over Buffers:22940frac=8NaNfrac=8
Height:4550frac=8NaNfrac=8
Axleload:18t
Weightondrivers:53.92t
Emptyweight:80.14t
Serviceweight:88.32t
Locotenderweight:148.2t
Tendertype:2′2′ T 26
Fueltype:Coal
Fuelcap:8t
Watercap:26m2
Firearea:3.9m²
Pitch:3050frac=8NaNfrac=8
Lengthinside:5200frac=8NaNfrac=8
Smalltubediameter:54frac=8NaNfrac=8, 113 off
Largetubediameter:133frac=8NaNfrac=8, 35 off
Boilerpressure:16sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3
Fireboxarea:15.9m²
Tubearea:90.4m²
Fluearea:71.3m²
Totalsurface:177.6m²
Superheaterarea:64.1m²
Cylindercount:Two, outside
Cylindersize:550x
Valvegear:Heusinger (Walschaerts)
Trainheating:Steam
Maxspeed:110km/h
Indicatedpower:1500sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3
Retiredate:1975

The German Class 23 (Baureihe 23 or BR 23) engines of the Deutsche Reichsbahn (DRG) were standard (Einheitslokomotiven) steam engines that were conceived as a replacement for the Prussian P 8 by the Schichau Works. They were given the same boiler as the Class 50s which were developed in parallel and, like them, the newly developed 2'2' T 26 tender with its front wall that protected train crews during reverse running.

In 1941 the two prototypes were built and delivered. The procurement of 800 locomotives had been planned, however the constraints of the Second World War meant that they never entered full production.

After the war the two locomotives, with operating numbers 23 001 and 23 002, went to the DR in East Germany and were variously stabled in Berlin, Brandenburg an der Havel, Jüterbog and Halle. In 1961, number 23 001 was given a Reko boiler with combustion chamber, developed for the Class 50. In 1970 the locomotive was given EDP number 35 2001–2. Number 23 002 was to be reconstructed, but was retired however in 1967 due to damage to the frame and scrapped.Number 23 001 was scrapped in 1975 in Cottbus, as it could no longer serve any useful purpose.

After the war, the design of these Class 23 locomotives formed the basis for the new DB Class 23 and DR Class 23.10 locomotives which received the same class designation.

See also