Bavarian Gts 4/4

Bavarian Gts 4/4 DRG Class 99.15
Type and origin Builder Krauss Build date 1909 Total produced 1
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-8-0T  • German K 44.7 Gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) Driver dia. 800 mm (2 ft 7+1⁄2 in) Wheelbase: ​  • Overall 2,600 mm (8 ft 6+1⁄4 in) Length: ​  • Over beams 8,442 mm (27 ft 8+1⁄4 in) Height 3,565 mm (11 ft 8+1⁄4 in) Empty weight 20.70 t (20.37 long tons; 22.82 short tons) Service weight 26.0 t (25.6 long tons; 28.7 short tons) Fuel capacity 1.44 t (3,200 lb) coal Water cap. 2.2 m3 (480 imp gal; 580 US gal) Boiler: ​ No. of heating tubes 108 Heating tube length 3,260 mm (10 ft 8+1⁄4 in) Boiler pressure 12 kgf/cm2 (1,180 kPa; 171 lbf/in2) Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 0.82 m2 (8.8 sq ft)  • Radiative 3.64 m2 (39.2 sq ft)  • Tubes 44.65 m2 (480.6 sq ft)  • Evaporative 48.29 m2 (519.8 sq ft) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 320 mm (12+5⁄8 in) Piston stroke 400 mm (15+3⁄4 in) Valve gear Walschaerts (Heusinger) with straight rocker arm (Schwinge) Train brakes Westinghouse compressed-air brake
Performance figures Maximum speed 30 km/h (19 mph) Indicated power 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp)
Career Numbers K.Bay.StsE.: 991 DRG: 99 151 Retired 1935

The only Bavarian Class Gts 4/4 locomotive in the Royal Bavarian State Railways (Königlich Bayerische Staatsbahn) was built in 1909 for the meter gauge line between Eichstätt and Kinding.

The four coupled axles were very close together, so that tight curves could be negotiated. The centre axles were installed with side play, which meant the connecting rod had to drive the fourth axle. The wheelbase was only 2.6 metres and, with the overall length of the locomotive being almost 8.5 metres, it had very long overhangs. The result was a relatively rough ride.

A striking feature was the very large size of the driver's cab. The locomotive frame was designed as a water tank, and on the steam dome was a safety valve protected by a housing. The engine carried 2.2 m³ of water and 1.2 tonnes of coal.

The locomotive was mainly used in rollbock services between Eichstätt and a quarry. After the formation of the Deutsche Reichsbahn it was taken over and grouped as DRG Class 99.15 with the number 99 151. The engine was retired in 1935, after the conversion of the route to standard gauge.

See also

• List of Bavarian locomotives and railbuses
• Bavarian branch lines

Sources

• Hoecherl, Ernst (1984). Eichstätter Schmalspurbahn 1885-1934. Egglham und München: Bufe-Fachbuch-Verlag. ISBN 3-922138-18-7.
• Weisbrod, Manfred; Petznik, Wolfgang (1981). Dampflokomotiven deutscher Eisenbahnen, Baureihe 97–99 (EFA 1.4) (in German) (2nd ed.). Düsseldorf: Alba. pp. 118–119. ISBN 3-87094-087-5.