DRG Class 45

German Class 45 steam locomotives were standard locomotives (Einheitslokomotiven) designed by the Deutsche Reichsbahn for hauling goods trains.

DRG Class 45
45 010 in the DB Museum, Nuremberg
Number(s)45 001 – 45 028
Quantity28
ManufacturerHenschel
Year(s) of manufacture1936–1937
Retired1946–1968
Wheel arrangement2-10-2
Axle arrangement1′E1′ h3
TypeG 57.18 (also G 57.20)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in) standard gauge
Length over buffers25.645 m (84 ft 1 34 in)
Service weight125.5 t (123.5 long tons; 138.3 short tons)
Adhesive weight97.2 t (95.7 long tons; 107.1 short tons)
Axle load19.7 t (19.4 long tons; 21.7 short tons)
Top speed90 km/h (56 mph)
Indicated Power2,059 kW (2,761 hp)
2,221 kW (2,978 hp) (45 003)
Driving wheel diameter1.600 m (5 ft 3 in)
Leading wheel diameter1.000 m (3 ft 3 38 in)
Trailing wheel diameter1.250 m (4 ft 1 14 in)
No. of cylinders3
Cylinder bore520 mm (20.47 in)
Piston stroke720 mm (28.35 in)
Boiler Overpressure16 bar (1.6 MPa; 230 psi)
Grate area4.47 m2 (48.1 sq ft)
Superheater area120 m2 (1,300 sq ft)
Evaporative heating area269.02 m2 (2,895.7 sq ft)
Tender2'3 T 38
2'3 T 29 Stoker
Water capacity29,000 or 38,000 l (6,400 or 8,400 imp gal; 7,700 or 10,000 US gal)

History

The Class 45 engines were the most powerful steam locomotives ever operated in Germany. They were built between 1936 and 1937 by the firm of Henschel. After the first two engines entered service, a further 26 units were delivered in 1940. However, the third order for another 103 machines was cancelled in 1941, because the outbreak of the Second World War favoured the construction of simpler wartime locomotives, the so-called Kriegslokomotiven. The Class 45s were given the operating numbers 45 001 – 45 028.

After the war, boiler damage appeared very quickly that made a reduction of the boiler overpressure to 16 bar necessary. From 1950 therefore several Deutsche Bundesbahn machines were equipped with an outer firebox with a combustion chamber and a mechanical underfeed stoker (Rostbeschicker). The engines with operating numbers 45 010, 45 016, 45 019, 45 021 and 45 023 were provided with welded boilers and underfeed stoker equipment.

In East Germany, the Deutsche Reichsbahn's sole example, 45 024, was rebuilt into high pressure variant and renumbered H 45 024. It proved to be a failure and was retired in 1959. Parts of this locomotive (outside cylinders, trailing wheels and the rear section of the locomotive frame) were used in building engine no. 18 201.

H 45 024 in Leipzig, 1951
Condition of 45 010 after the great fire

In 1968 the Deutsche Bundesbahn only had three examples left, which were used as braking and experimental engines by the Bundesbahn Central Office in Munich and Minden. They were no. 45 023, which was stabled in Munich, and nos. 45 010 and 45 019, which were stationed at Minden. On the evening of 17 October 2005 a fire destroyed the locomotive shed of the Nuremberg Transport Museum in Nuremberg, as a result of which the last preserved example of this class, the 45 010, was badly damaged. Plans were put in hand to restore it and this was completed during 2012.

This class was initially a faulty design, similar to the DRB Class 06, because of its poor boiler. Following replacement of the boiler and the introduction of mechanical stoking the true qualities of this locomotive became clear. As well as being used as braking locomotives for the Bundesbahn Central Office, in their final years numbers 45 019 and 45 010 were used time and again for those heavy goods train duties that the Class 44 locomotives had difficulties with.

The vehicles were coupled with 2'3 T 38 tenders. Those with underfeed stokers had 2'3 T 29 Stoker tenders.

Table of DB locomotive withdrawals
Year Quantity in
service at
start of year
Quantity
withdrawn
Locomotive numbers Notes
194627145 002
1953261245 001, 005–007, 013, 015, 017, 018, 025–028
195514245 004, 011
195712645 003, 008, 009, 014, 021, 022021 reboilered
19586145 012later reinstated
19595 or 6145 020
19615145 012
19644145 016reboilered
196832045 019-7, 023-9reboilered
196911045 010-6reboilered; preserved

See also

Literature

  • Seiler, B.; Ebel, Jürgen U. (2006). Die Baureihe 45 (in German). Freiburg: EK-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-88255-151-8.
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