DRG Class 23

The German Class 23 (Baureihe 23 or BR 23) engines of the Deutsche Reichsbahn (DRG) were standard (Einheitslokomotiven) steam engines that were conceived as a replacement for the Prussian P 8 by the Schichau Works. They were given the same boiler as the Class 50s which were developed in parallel and, like them, the newly developed 2'2' T 26 tender with its front wall that protected train crews during reverse running.

DRB Class 23 DR Class 23.0 DR Class 35.20
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Schichau-Werke Serial number 3443–3444 Build date 1941 Total produced 2
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-2  • UIC 1′C1′ h2  • German P 35.18 Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Leading dia. 1,000 mm (39+3⁄8 in) Driver dia. 1,750 mm (68+7⁄8 in) Trailing dia. 1,250 mm (49+1⁄4 in) Tender wheels 1,000 mm (39+3⁄8 in) Wheelbase: ​  • Axle spacing (Asymmetrical)  3,100 mm (10 ft 2 in) +  2,050 mm (6 ft 8+3⁄4 in) +  2,050 mm (6 ft 8+3⁄4 in) +  3,500 mm (11 ft 5+3⁄4 in) =  • Engine 10,700 mm (35 ft 1+1⁄4 in)  • Tender 1,900 mm (6 ft 2+3⁄4 in) + 1,900 mm (6 ft 2+3⁄4 in) + 1,900 mm (6 ft 2+3⁄4 in) = 5,700 mm (18 ft 8+3⁄8 in) Length: ​  • Over headstocks 21,640 mm (71 ft 0 in)  • Over buffers 22,940 mm (75 ft 3+1⁄8 in) Height 4,550 mm (14 ft 11+1⁄8 in) Axle load 18 t (18 long tons; 20 short tons) Adhesive weight 53.92 t (53.07 long tons; 59.44 short tons) Empty weight 80.14 t (78.87 long tons; 88.34 short tons) Service weight 88.32 t (86.93 long tons; 97.36 short tons) Total weight 148.2 t (145.9 long tons; 163.4 short tons) Tender type 2′2′ T 26 Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 8 t (7.9 long tons; 8.8 short tons) Water cap. 26 m3 (5,700 imp gal; 6,900 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 3.9 m2 (42 sq ft) Boiler: ​  • Pitch 3,050 mm (10 ft 1⁄8 in)  • Tube plates 5,200 mm (17 ft 3⁄4 in)  • Small tubes  54 mm (2+1⁄8 in), 113 off  • Large tubes 133 mm (5+1⁄4 in), 35 off Boiler pressure 16 bar (16.3 kgf/cm2; 232 psi) Heating surface: ​  • Firebox  15.9 m2 (171 sq ft)  • Tubes  90.4 m2 (973 sq ft)  • Flues  71.3 m2 (767 sq ft)  • Total surface 177.6 m2 (1,912 sq ft) Superheater: ​  • Heating area  64.1 m2 (690 sq ft) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 550 mm × 660 mm (21+5⁄8 in × 26 in) Valve gear Heusinger (Walschaerts) Train heating Steam
Performance figures Maximum speed 110 km/h (68 mph) Indicated power 1,500 PS (1,100 kW; 1,480 hp)
Career Operators Deutsche Reichsbahn Deutsche Reichsbahn (DDR) Numbers 23 001 – 23 002 35 2001-2 from 1970 Retired 1975

In 1941 the two prototypes were built and delivered. The procurement of 800 locomotives had been planned, however the constraints of the Second World War meant that they never entered full production.

After the war the two locomotives, with operating numbers 23 001 and 23 002, went to the DR in East Germany and were variously stabled in Berlin, Brandenburg an der Havel, Jüterbog and Halle. In 1961, number 23 001 was given a Reko boiler with combustion chamber, developed for the Class 50. In 1970 the locomotive was given EDP number 35 2001–2. Number 23 002 was to be reconstructed, but was retired however in 1967 due to damage to the frame and scrapped. Number 23 001 was scrapped in 1975 in Cottbus, as it could no longer serve any useful purpose.

After the war, the design of these Class 23 locomotives formed the basis for the new DB Class 23 and DR Class 23.10 locomotives which received the same class designation.

See also

• List of DRG locomotives and railbuses

References

• Weisbrod, Manfred; Müller, Hans; Petznik, Wolfgang (1976). Dampflokomotiven deutscher Eisenbahnen, Baureihe 01–39 (EFA 1.1) (in German) (3rd ed.). Düsseldorf: Alba Buchverlag. pp. 174–177. ISBN 3-87094-081-6.