Prussian G 5.4 Explained

Prussian G 5.4
DRG Class 54.8–10
Bgcolor:000000
Color:FFFFFF
Builddate:1901–1910
Totalproduction:767
Whytetype:2-6-0
Leadingdiameter:1,000 mm
Driverdiameter:1,350 mm
Over Bufferbeams:16,168 mm
Axleload:15.3 t
Serviceweight:55.1 t
Weightondrivers:44.0 t
Watercap:12.0/15.0 m3
Boilerpressure:12 bar
Fireboxarea:2.29 m2
Evaporativearea:137.00 m2
Cylindercount:2
Cylindersize:500/750 mm
Pistonstroke:630 mm
Maxspeed:65 km/h
Indicatedpower:574/750 kW
Fleetnumbers:DRG 54 801–981, 985-1079, 1083, 1084
Retiredate:1948

The Prussian G 5.4 was a German goods train locomotive with a compound engine. Due to its top speed of 65 km/h it was also used on passenger services. The G 5.4, like the G 5.3, differed from the G 5.1 and G 5.2 in having a shorter wheelbase and higher boiler pitch. In addition, the Krauss-Helmholtz bogies enabled its riding qualities to be improved, especially at higher speeds. Between 1901 and 1910 a total of about 760 vehicles of the Class G 5.4 were built for the Prussian state railways. The last 25 locomotives were fitted once again with an Adams axle (see Prussian G 5.5).

Other railways companies also procured this class:

In 1923 the Reichsbahn took over 371 locomotives into its renumbering plan as 54 503-517 and 54 801-1156; in 1925 another 278 vehicles were incorporated as 54 801–981, 985-1079, 1083 and 1084. Some 22 examples were converted during the 1920s to superheated compounds. During the Second World War a number of G 5.4 and G 5.5 came into the Reichsbahn fleet from Poland and Lithuania as 54 1101-1218 and 54 1220-1223. The last G 5.4 in Germany was retired by 1951.

The vehicles were coupled with Prussian tenders of classes pr 3 T 12 or pr 3 T 15.

See also