The Bavarian Class Gts 2x3/3 was a former narrow gauge, German Army, military railway, steam locomotive that was in service on the narrow gauge line from Eichstätt to Kinding.

Bavarian Gts 2×3/3
DRG Class 99.20
Type and origin
BuilderHenschel
Build date1917
Total produced1
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte0-6-6-0T
 • GermanK 66.9
Gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)
Coupled dia.900 mm (2 ft 11+38 in)
Wheelbase:
 • Bogie2,500 mm (8 ft 2+12 in)
 • Overall7,000 mm (22 ft 11+12 in)
Length:
 • Over beams11,832 mm (38 ft 9+34 in)
Height3,650 mm (11 ft 11+34 in)
Adhesive weight54.0 t (53.1 long tons; 59.5 short tons)
Empty weight45.3 t (44.6 long tons; 49.9 short tons)
Service weight54.0 t (53.1 long tons; 59.5 short tons)
Fuel capacity1.5 t (3,300 lb) coal
Water cap.4.5 m3 (990 imp gal; 1,200 US gal)
Boiler pressure14 kgf/cm2 (1.37 MPa; 199 lbf/in2)
Heating surface:
 • Firebox1.85 m2 (19.9 sq ft)
 • Evaporative82.71 m2 (890.3 sq ft)
Superheater:
 • Heating area34.00 m2 (366.0 sq ft)
CylindersFour, compound
High-pressure cylinder400 mm (15+34 in)
Low-pressure cylinder620 mm (24+716 in)
Piston stroke450 mm (17+1116 in)
Performance figures
Maximum speed30 km/h (19 mph)
Career
Numbers
  • K.Bay.Sts.E: 996
    DRG: 99 201
Retired1934

The State railway locomotive

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The locomotive was built in 1917 by Henschel & Sohn in Kassel under works number 15160 for the German Army's field railways. After the end of World War I the engine was sold to the Royal Bavarian State Railways (Königlich Bayerische Staatsbahn). It was designated as Class Gts 2x3/3 and was given the number 996. It was employed on the Eichstätt–Kinding narrow gauge route. After the take over of the German state railways by the Deutsche Reichsbahn it was given the number 99 201 and classified as DRG Class 99.20.

In order not to exceed the permitted axle load, the locomotive was equipped with six axles, which were grouped into two groups of three, each with its own driving gear. This compound engine was of the Mallet locomotive type. The preheater was located in front of the chimney and lay parallel to the axis of the locomotive.

The engine could carry 1.5 tonnes of coal and 4.5 m2 of water.

After the conversion of its home line, Eichstätt–Kinding, to standard gauge in 1934 the locomotive was withdrawn from service and later scrapped.

Background information to the locomotive class

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Army field railway locomotives

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Locomotive 99 201 was one of a total of 20 engines, that Henschel delivered to the German Army for their field railways. Several of the machines were destroyed in the war, others were abandoned abroad, for example in France. Several engines of this series were employed on the Hedjaz railway from Damascus to Medina.

Copies

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After World War I Henschel produced two further copies of this class:

Unlike the original German Army field railway engines, the copies were built as saturated steam locomotives.

Preserved examples

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Blonay-Chamby Südwestdeutsche Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft - 105 - 11

No. 104, formerly of the Zell-Todtnau Railway was in service with the Blonay–Chamby Museum Railway[1] at the eastern end of lake Geneva. As of September 2021 the locomotive is under restoration and can be seen in the railway museum there.

Mallet locomotives 413 and 414 of the Chemin de fer du Vivarais do not belong to this class. The two engines were built in the 1930s in Alsace.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "G 2×3/3 104 Süddeutsche Eisenbahn Gesellschaft – Chemin de fer-musée Blonay-Chamby" (in French). Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  • Weisbrod, Manfred; Petznik, Wolfgang (1981). Dampflokomotiven deutscher Eisenbahnen, Baureihe 97–99 (EFA 1.4) (in German) (2nd ed.). Düsseldorf: Alba. pp. 129–131. ISBN 3-87094-087-5.