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DR Class 52.80

DR Class 52.80
Locomotive BR52-8177-9.jpg
Rekolok 52 8177
Number(s) DR 52 8001–8200
Quantity 200
Manufacturer RAW Stendal
Year(s) of manufacture 1960–1967
Retired In service until the end of steam traction in the DR, approximately 1988
Wheel arrangement 2-10-0
Axle arrangement 1'E h2
Axle arrangement 1'E h2
Type G 56.15
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in)
Length over buffers 22.975 m (75.38 ft)
Overall wheelbase 9.2 m (30 ft)
Service weight 89.7 t (88.3 long tons; 98.9 short tons)
Adhesive weight 79.6 t (78.3 long tons; 87.7 short tons)
Top speed 80 km/h (50 mph) or 50 km/h (31 mph)
Indicated Power 1,470 kW (1,970 hp)
Driving wheel diameter 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in)
Leading wheel diameter 0.85 m (2 ft 9 in)
Cylinder bore 600 mm (24 in)
Piston stroke 660 mm (26 in)
Boiler Overpressure 16 bar (1,600 kPa), 230psi
Grate area 3.71 m2 (39.9 sq ft)
Evaporative heating area 172.3 m2 (1,855 sq ft)
Tender service weight 18.5 t (18.2 long tons; 20.4 short tons)
Water capacity 30,000 l (6,600 imp gal; 7,900 US gal)
Fuel 10 t (9.8 long tons; 11 short tons) coal
Brakes Knorr
Train heating Steam

The Rekolokomotives of DR Class 52.80 first appeared in 1960 in service with the Deutsche Reichsbahn in East Germany as extensive rebuilds of the wartime locomotives or Kriegslokomotiven of DRB Class 52. This modernisation, described as 'reconstruction' (Rekonstruktion, hence Rekolokomotive), extended to almost all of the components and systems on the engine.

This reconstruction should not to be confused with the general repair of a number of locomotives which was also carried out in the Stendal Reichsbahn repair shop (Reichsbahnausbesserungswerk or RAW) from 1959 onwards. Under that programme only the refinements omitted during wartime were added back, and worn out components - or those which were too small (again for wartime austerity reasons) - were replaced. Usually only the firebox and pony trucks were replaced. These refurbished engines retained their original numbers, however the Rekoloks were reorganised, irrespective of their original numbers, into sub-class 52.80.

For economic reasons the general repair programme was cut back, nevertheless in early summer 1960 work began on the reconstruction of Class 52 at RAW Stendal. Up to 1967, 200 locomotives were rebuilt with a slightly modified, Typ 50E, combustion-chambered boiler, originally designed for the Class 50.35. Other notable features of the Rekolok were new, welded cylinders, an IfS/DR mixer-preheater system and a new driver's cab front walls with oval windows, mainly on account of the new boiler. The intention to replace the entire the cab and provide the engines with new tenders did not come about. The worn out Class 2'2'T30 tub tenders were mainly given new tubs.

Other reconstruction measures included the installation of axle box tightening wedges and the replacement of the Krauss-Helmholtz bogies. Despite often expressed views to the contrary, the valves were not replaced or rebuilt as part of the reconstruction. The 52.80 had standard piston valves with Winterthur pressure equalisation and hence poor riding qualities when running light. Not until the 1980s were Trofimoff valves and cylinder safety valves installed on some locomotives at RAW Meiningen. This improved the riding performance hugely when the engines ran without a train, something which was also noticeable in terms of savings in lubricants and fuel.


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