DRG Class 45

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DRG Class 45
45 010 in the DB Museum, Nuremberg
Type and origin Power type Steam Order number Henschel & Sohn Serial number 22805–22806, 24796–24821 Build date 1937–1940 Total produced 28
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-10-2  • UIC 1′E1′ h3  • German G 57.18 (also G 57.20) Driver Divided: inner cylinder on 2nd coupled axle, outer on 3rd Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Leading dia. 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) Driver dia. 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Trailing dia. 1,250 mm (4 ft 1+1⁄4 in) Wheelbase: ​  • Axle spacing (Asymmetrical) 3,000 mm (9 ft 10+1⁄8 in) + 1,850 mm (6 ft 7⁄8 in) + 1,850 mm (6 ft 7⁄8 in) + 1,850 mm (6 ft 7⁄8 in) + 1,850 mm (6 ft 7⁄8 in) + 3,200 mm (10 ft 6 in) =  • Engine 13,600 mm (44 ft 7+3⁄8 in)  • Tender 1,750 mm (5 ft 8+7⁄8 in) + 1,500 mm (4 ft 11 in) + 1,375 mm (4 ft 6+1⁄8 in) + 1,375 mm (4 ft 6+1⁄8 in) = 6,000 mm (19 ft 8+1⁄4 in)  • incl. tender 21,775 mm (71 ft 5+1⁄4 in) Length: ​  • Over headstocks 24,345 mm (79 ft 10+1⁄2 in)  • Over buffers 25,645 mm (84 ft 1+5⁄8 in) Axle load 001–002: 18.6 or 19.9 t (18.3 or 19.6 long tons; 20.5 or 21.9 short tons) Remainder: 18.2 or 19.8 t (17.9 or 19.5 long tons; 20.1 or 21.8 short tons) Rebuilt: 18.2–18.6 or 19.4–19.9 t (17.9–18.3 or 19.1–19.6 long tons; 20.1–20.5 or 21.4–21.9 short tons) Adhesive weight 001–002: 92.9 or 99.4 t (91.4 or 97.8 long tons; 102.4 or 109.6 short tons) Remainder: 90.7 or 98.8 t (89.3 or 97.2 long tons; 100.0 or 108.9 short tons) Rebuilt: 91.0–93.0 or 97.2–99.7 t (89.6–91.5 or 95.7–98.1 long tons; 100.3–102.5 or 107.1–109.9 short tons) Empty weight 001–002: 117.5 t (115.6 long tons; 129.5 short tons) Remainder: 114.7 t (112.9 long tons; 126.4 short tons) Rebuilt: 112.3–114.4 t (110.5–112.6 long tons; 123.8–126.1 short tons) Service weight 001–002: 128.4 t (126.4 long tons; 141.5 short tons) Remainder: 126.7 t (124.7 long tons; 139.7 short tons) Rebuilt: 125.5–128.5 t (123.5–126.5 long tons; 138.3–141.6 short tons) Tender type New: 2′3 T 38 Rebuilt: 2′3 T 29 Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 2′3 T 38: 10 t (9.8 long tons; 11 short tons) 2′3 T 29: 12 t (12 long tons; 13 short tons) Water cap. 2′3 T 38: 38 m3 (8,360 imp gal; 10,000 US gal) 2′3 T 29: 29 m3 (6,380 imp gal; 7,660 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 001–002: 5.0 m2 (54 sq ft) Remainder: 4.8 m2 (52 sq ft) Rebuilt: 4.5 m2 (48 sq ft) Boiler: ​  • Pitch 3,060 mm (10 ft 1⁄2 in)  • Tube plates New: 7,500 mm (24 ft 7+1⁄4 in) Rebuilt: 6,500 mm (21 ft 3+7⁄8 in)  • Small tubes 001–002: 83 mm (3+1⁄4 in), 72 off Remainder: 79 mm (3+1⁄8 in), 98 off Rebuilt: 60 mm (2+3⁄8 in), 106 off  • Large tubes 001–002: 191 mm (7+1⁄2 in), 33 off Remainder: 185 mm (7+5⁄16 in), 30 off Rebuilt: 152 mm (6 in), 44 off Boiler pressure new: 20 bar (20.4 kgf/cm2; 290 psi) later: 16 bar (16.3 kgf/cm2; 232 psi) Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 001–002: 18.8 m2 (202 sq ft) Remainder: 18.7 m2 (201 sq ft) Rebuilt: 23.2 m2 (250 sq ft)  • Tubes 001–002: 130.0 m2 (1,399 sq ft) Remainder: 168.5 m2 (1,814 sq ft) Rebuilt: 116.9 m2 (1,258 sq ft)  • Flues 001–002: 140.2 m2 (1,509 sq ft) Remainder: 123.3 m2 (1,327 sq ft) Rebuilt: 128.9 m2 (1,387 sq ft)  • Total surface 001–002: 289.0 m2 (3,111 sq ft) Remainder: 310.5 m2 (3,342 sq ft) Rebuilt: 269.0 m2 (2,895 sq ft) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 001–002: 132.5 m2 (1,426 sq ft) Remainder: 120.6 m2 (1,298 sq ft) Rebuilt: 120.6 m2 (1,298 sq ft) Cylinders Three Cylinder size 520 mm × 720 mm (20+1⁄2 in × 28+3⁄8 in) Valve gear Heusinger Valve type Piston Valve Train heating Steam Loco brake Knorr Air Brakes Train brakes Knorr Air Brakes Couplers Screw Link
Performance figures Maximum speed 90 km/h (56 mph) Indicated power 2,800 PS (2,060 kW; 2,760 hp) 3,020 PS (2,220 kW; 2,980 hp) (45 003)
Career Numbers 45 001 – 45 028 Retired 1946–1968

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

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 to 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.

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.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to DRG Class 45.

• List of DRG locomotives and railbuses

• Seiler, B.; Ebel, Jürgen U. (2006). Die Baureihe 45 (in German). Freiburg: EK-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-88255-151-8.
• Weisbrod, Manfred; Müller, Hans; Petznik, Wolfgang (1978). Dampflokomotiven deutscher Eisenbahnen, Baureihe 41–59 (EFA 1.2) (in German) (3rd ed.). Düsseldorf: Alba. pp. 44–49, 198–199. ISBN 3-87094-082-4.