DR Class 52.80

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DR Class 52.80
(Rebuild of DRB Class 52)
Rekolok 52 8177
Type and origin
BuilderRAW Stendal
Build date1960–1967
Total produced200
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte2-10-0
 • UIC1′E h2
 • GermanG 56.15
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
Leading dia.850 mm (2 ft 9+12 in)
Driver dia.1,400 mm (4 ft 7+18 in)
Wheelbase:
 • Overall9.2 m (30 ft 2+14 in)
 • incl. tender19 m (62 ft 4 in)
Length:
 • Over beams22.975 m (75 ft 4+12 in)
Adhesive weight79.6 t (78.3 long tons; 87.7 short tons)
Service weight89.7 t (88.3 long tons; 98.9 short tons)
Tender weight18.5 t (18.2 long tons; 20.4 short tons)
Fuel capacity10 t (9.8 long tons; 11 short tons) coal
Water cap.30 m3 (1,100 cu ft) or 30,000 L (6,600 imp gal; 7,900 US gal)
Boiler:
No. of heating tubes124
No. of smoke tubes38
Heating tube length4,700 mm (15 ft 5 in)
Boiler pressure16 bar (1.60 MPa; 232 psi)
Heating surface:
 • Firebox3.71 m2 (39.9 sq ft)
 • Radiative17.9 m2 (193 sq ft)
 • Tubes154.5 m2 (1,663 sq ft)
 • Evaporative172.3 m2 (1,855 sq ft)
Superheater:
 • Heating area64.5 m2 (694 sq ft)
Cylinder size600 mm (23+58 in)
Piston stroke660 mm (26 in)
Train heatingSteam
Loco brakeKnorr
Performance figures
Maximum speed
  • forwards: 80 km/h (50 mph)
  • backwards: 50 km/h (31 mph)
Indicated power1,470 kW (2,000 PS; 1,970 hp)
Career
NumbersDR 52 8001–8200
RetiredIn service until the end of steam traction in the DR, approximately 1988

The Rekolokomotives of DR Class 52.80 first appeared in 1960 in service with the Deutsche Reichsbahn in East Germany as extensive rebuilds of the wartime locomotives or Kriegslokomotiven of the DRB Class 52 built by Nazi Germany. This modernisation, described as 'reconstruction' (Rekonstruktion, hence Rekolokomotive), extended to almost all of the components and systems on the engine.

Overview[edit]

This reconstruction should not be confused with the general repair of a number of locomotives which was also carried out in the Stendal Reichsbahn repair shop (Reichsbahnausbesserungswerk or RAW) from 1959 onwards. Under that programme only the refinements omitted during wartime were added back, and worn out components - or those which were too small (again for wartime austerity reasons) - were replaced. Usually only the firebox and pony trucks were replaced. These refurbished engines retained their original numbers, however the Rekoloks were reorganised, irrespective of their original numbers, into sub-class 52.80.

For economic reasons the general repair programme was cut back, nevertheless in early summer 1960 work began on the reconstruction of Class 52 at RAW Stendal. Up to 1967, 200 locomotives were rebuilt with a slightly modified, Typ 50E, combustion-chambered boiler, originally designed for the Class 50.35. Other notable features of the Rekolok were new, welded cylinders, an IfS/DR mixer-preheater system and a new driver's cab front walls with oval windows, mainly on account of the new boiler. The intention to replace the entire the cab and provide the engines with new tenders did not come about. The worn out Class 2'2'T30 tub tenders were mainly given new tubs.

Other reconstruction measures included the installation of axle box tightening wedges and the replacement of the Krauss-Helmholtz bogies. Despite often expressed views to the contrary, the valves were not replaced or rebuilt as part of the reconstruction. The 52.80 had standard piston valves with Winterthur pressure equalisation and hence poor riding qualities when running light. Not until the 1980s were Trofimoff valves and cylinder safety valves installed on some locomotives at RAW Meiningen. This improved the riding performance hugely when the engines ran without a train, something which was also noticeable in terms of savings in lubricants and fuel.

Some locomotives were also fitted with Giesl-Gieslingen suction draught systems, the so-called Giesl ejectors. However, for licensing reasons, these were removed once they had worn out or become defective.

Surviving locomotives[edit]

Of the originally 200 locomotives reconstructed, a large number are still in existence in the hands of various owners in varying condition (see List of preserved steam locomotives in Germany). At present (August 2007) ten working examples are known of. Number 52 8055 was extensively rebuilt, using advanced steam technology, oil firing and roller bearings for both axles and drive by the Swiss company Dampflokomotiv- und Maschinenfabrik DLM AG in 1998.[1] Since 2003 it is owned by its rebuilder DLM AG and based in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Being equipped with automatic trainstop of both Signum and ETCS-LS type it is fully certified for operation on the Swiss standard gauge network. Number 52 8055 also have an unknown 5 chime steam whistle & a Crosby 3 chime whistle that was usually used on The LNER Class A4s.

Gallery[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Waller, Roger M. (July 2004). "Die Modernisierung der Dampflokomotive 52 8055". Eisenbahn-Revue International (in German). Heft: 301–305. ISSN 1421-2811.
  • Hütter, Ingo (2012). Die Dampflokomotiven der Baureihen 50 bis 53 der DRG, DRB, DB, und DR (in German). Werl: DGEG Medien. pp. 395–407. ISBN 978-3-937189-63-5.
  • Reimer, Michael; Endisch, Dirk. Baureihe 52.80 - Die rekonstruierte Kriegslokomotive. GeraMond. ISBN 3-7654-7101-1.
  • Weisbrod, Manfred; Müller, Hans; Petznik, Wolfgang (1978). Dampflokomotiven deutscher Eisenbahnen, Baureihe 41–59 (EFA 1.2) (in German) (3rd ed.). Düsseldorf: Alba. pp. 74–75. ISBN 3-87094-082-4.

External links[edit]