SEK Class Θα

SEK (Sidirodromoi Ellinikou Kratous, Hellenic State Railways) class Θα (or class THb; Theta-alpha) is a class of one 2-8-0 steam locomotives, acquired after the First World War.

SEK class Θα
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Hanomag Build date 1911
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-8-0  • UIC 1′D n4v Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Wheelbase: ​  • Leading 850 mm (2 ft 9+1⁄2 in)  • Drivers 1,250 mm (4 ft 1+1⁄4 in) Length 17.368 m (56 ft 11+3⁄4 in) Width 4.650 m (15 ft 3+1⁄16 in) Axle load 14.1 tonnes (13.9 long tons; 15.5 short tons) Adhesive weight 56.4 tonnes (55.5 long tons; 62.2 short tons) Loco weight 68.7 tonnes (67.6 long tons; 75.7 short tons) Tender weight 39.9 tonnes (39.3 long tons; 44.0 short tons) Total weight 107.7 tonnes (106.0 long tons; 118.7 short tons) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 7 tonnes (6.9 long tons; 7.7 short tons) Water cap. 7,000 litres (1,500 imp gal; 1,800 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 3.96 m2 (42.6 sq ft) Boiler pressure 15 kgf/cm2 (1.47 MPa; 213 psi) Heating surface 171.44 m2 (1,845.4 sq ft) Cylinders 4, compound High-pressure cylinder 375 mm × 650 mm (14+3⁄4 in × 25+9⁄16 in) Low-pressure cylinder 600 mm × 650 mm (23+5⁄8 in × 25+9⁄16 in)
Performance figures Maximum speed 65 km/h (40 mph)
Career Operators BDŽ → SEK → BDŽ Numbers BDŽ 705 → SEK 601 → SEK 501 → BDŽ 27.17

Originally one of the Bulgarian State Railways' (BDŽ) 700 series four-cylinder compound locomotives that had been built by Hanomag in 1911 as BDŽ 705. It was given the class letters "Θα" by the SEK and initially numbered 601 before being renumbered 501.

During World War II it was reclaimed by the Bulgarians and renumbered BDŽ 27.17 at the end of the surviving 700s (which by then had become BDŽ class 27).

References

• Durrant, A. E. (1972). The Steam Locomotives of Eastern Europe (2nd ed.). Newton Abbott: David & Charles. ISBN 0-7153-4077-8.