DRG Class 81
Model of a Class 81
Type and origin Builder Hanomag Build date 1928 Total produced 10
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-8-0T  • German Gt 44.17 Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Driver dia. 1,100 mm (3 ft 7+1⁄4 in) Wheelbase: ​  • Overall 4,200 mm (13 ft 9+1⁄4 in) Length: ​  • Over beams 11,080 mm (36 ft 4+1⁄4 in) Height 4,165 mm (13 ft 8 in) Axle load 16.9 tonnes (16.6 long tons; 18.6 short tons) Adhesive weight 67.5 tonnes (66.4 long tons; 74.4 short tons) Empty weight 42.0 tonnes (41.3 long tons; 46.3 short tons) Service weight 67.5 tonnes (66.4 long tons; 74.4 short tons) Fuel capacity Coal: 3 tonnes (3.0 long tons; 3.3 short tons) Water cap. 8 m3 (280 cu ft) or 8,000 litres (1,800 imp gal; 2,100 US gal) Boiler: ​ No. of heating tubes 114 No. of smoke tubes 32 Heating tube length 3,500 mm (11 ft 5+3⁄4 in) Boiler pressure 14 bar (1.40 MPa; 203 psi) Heating surface: ​  • Tubes Tubes: 49.51 m2 (532.9 sq ft) Flues: 38.70 m2 (416.6 sq ft)  • Firebox 1.82 m2 (19.6 sq ft)  • Radiative 7.7 m2 (83 sq ft)  • Evaporative 95.91 m2 (1,032.4 sq ft) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 34.00 m2 (366.0 sq ft) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 500 mm (19+9⁄13 in) Piston stroke 550 mm (21+5⁄8 in) Loco brake einlösige Knorr compressed-air brakes, K-GP mZ auxiliary brake
Performance figures Maximum speed 45 km/h (28 mph) Indicated power 633 kW (861 PS; 849 hp)
Career Numbers DRG 81 001–010 Retired 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

• List of DRG locomotives and railbuses

References

• Hütter, Ingo (2021). Die Dampflokomotiven der Baureihen 60 bis 91 der DRG, DRB, DB, und DR (in German). Werl: DGEG Medien. ISBN 978-3-946594-21-5.
• Weisbrod, Manfred; Müller, Hans; Petznik, Wolfgang (1978). Dampflokomotiven deutscher Eisenbahnen, Baureihe 60–96 (EFA 1.3) (in German) (4th ed.). Düsseldorf: Alba. pp. 100–102. ISBN 3-87094-083-2.