DRG Class 81 explained

DRG Class 81
Bgcolor:A00
Color:FFF
Powertype:Steam
Builder:Hanomag
Serialnumber:10555…10564
Builddate:1928
Totalproduction:10
Uicclass:D h2t
Drgtype:Gt 44.17
Driverdiameter:1100frac=8NaNfrac=8
Engine Total:4200frac=8NaNfrac=8
Over Headstocks:9780frac=8NaNfrac=8
Over Buffers:11080frac=8NaNfrac=8
Height:4165frac=16NaNfrac=16
Axleload:16.9t
Weightondrivers:67.5t
Emptyweight:52t
Serviceweight:67.5t
Fueltype:Coal
Fuelcap:3t
Watercap:8sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3
Firearea:1.78m2
Pitch:2700frac=8NaNfrac=8
Lengthinside:3500frac=8NaNfrac=8
Smalltubediameter:44.5frac=16NaNfrac=16, 114 off
Largetubediameter:118frac=16NaNfrac=16, 32 off
Boilerpressure:14sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3
Fireboxarea:7.7m2
Tubearea:49.5m2
Fluearea:38.7m2
Totalsurface:95.9m2
Superheaterarea:34m2
Cylindercount:Two, outside
Cylindersize:500x
Locobrakes:einlösige Knorr compressed-air brakes, K-GP mZ auxiliary brake
Maxspeed:450NaN0
Indicatedpower:860sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3
Operator:Deutsche Reichsbahn
Fleetnumbers:81 001 – 81 010
Retiredate:1963

The locomotives of the German DRG Class 81 were standard (Einheitsdampflokomotiven) goods train tank locomotives with the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft (DRG).

In 1928, ten examples were delivered by the firm of Hanomag that matched the Class 80 locomotives in many details. The axles were all fixed rigidly to the frame, but the middle one had thinner wheel flanges. In contrast to the Class 80s, the Class 81 engines had a larger heating area and carried more coal and water. The delivery of 60 more vehicles was cancelled in 1940 due to the Second World War. The locomotives were mainly employed on heavy shunting duties. After their collection, the ten engines were allocated to the locomotive depots (Bahnbetriebswerken or Bw) of Goslar (81 001–005) and Oldenburg (81 006–010). In 1945 all the engines were in the Oldenburg area and went over to the Deutsche Bundesbahn. The last engine was taken out of service in October 1963. Number 81 005 was still working as an industrial loco in AW Nied after its retirement from the DB.

Preserved locomotives

Number 81 004 is the only one of its type to have been preserved. After passing through several owners and locations, it has found a home with the Hessencourrier society, who intend to have it refurbished.

See also