Prussian G 5.4

Prussian G 5.4 DRG Class 54.8–10
Type and origin Build date 1901–1910 Total produced 767
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-0 Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Leading dia. 1,000 mm Driver dia. 1,350 mm Length: ​  • Over beams 16,168 mm Axle load 15.3 t Adhesive weight 44.0 t Service weight 55.1 t Water cap. 12.0/15.0 m3 Boiler pressure 12 bar Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 2.29 m2  • Evaporative 137.00 m2 Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 500/750 mm Piston stroke 630 mm
Performance figures Maximum speed 65 km/h Indicated power 574/750 kW
Career Numbers DRG 54 801–981, 985-1079, 1083, 1084 Retired 1948

The Prussian G 5.4 was a German goods train locomotive with a compound engine. Due to its top speed of 65 km/h it was also used on passenger services. The G 5.4, like the G 5.3, differed from the G 5.1 and G 5.2 in having a shorter wheelbase and higher boiler pitch. In addition, the Krauss-Helmholtz bogies enabled its riding qualities to be improved, especially at higher speeds. Between 1901 and 1910 a total of about 760 vehicles of the Class G 5.4 were built for the Prussian state railways. The last 25 locomotives were fitted once again with an Adams axle (see Prussian G 5.5).

Other railways companies also procured this class:

• Hafenbahn Frankfurt/M: 3 units in 1908, which were taken over by the Prussian state railways in 1910.
• Royal Prussian Military Railway: One locomotive in 1905, taken over by the Prussian state railways in 1919.
• Lübeck-Büchen railway: Three locomotives in 1906 and 1909, retired by 1936.
• Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg Friedrich-Franz Railway: Nine locomotives, actually G 5.5s, see Mecklenburg G 5.4.
• Imperial Railways in Alsace-Lorraine: Three locomotives in 1912, G 5.5, see Alsace-Lorraine G 5.5.

In 1923 the Reichsbahn took over 371 locomotives into its renumbering plan as 54 503-517 and 54 801-1156; in 1925 another 278 vehicles were incorporated as 54 801–981, 985-1079, 1083 and 1084. Some 22 examples were converted during the 1920s to superheated compounds. During the Second World War a number of G 5.4 and G 5.5 came into the Reichsbahn fleet from Poland and Lithuania as 54 1101-1218 and 54 1220-1223. The last G 5.4 in Germany was retired by 1951.

The vehicles were coupled with Prussian tenders of classes pr 3 T 12 or pr 3 T 15.

References

• Hütter, Ingo (2015). Die Dampflokomotiven der Baureihen 54 bis 59 der DRG, DRB, DB, und DR (in German). Werl: DGEG Medien. pp. 44–56. ISBN 978-3-937189-85-7.
• Vandenberghen, J (1989). La guerre 1914 - 1918 et les locomotives "Armistice", 2. Description des locomotives K.P.E.V. (PDF) (in French). Brussels: SNCB. pp. 176–184.
• Wagner, Andreas; Bäzold, Dieter; Zschech, Rainer; Lüderitz, Ralph (1990). Lokomotiven preußischer Eisenbahnen, Güterzuglokomotiven (EFA 2.3.2) (in German). Düsseldorf: Alba. pp. 58–65. ISBN 3-87094-134-0.
• Weisbrod, Manfred; Müller, Hans; Petznik, Wolfgang (1978). Dampflokomotiven deutscher Eisenbahnen, Baureihe 41–59 (EFA 1.2) (in German) (3rd ed.). Düsseldorf: Alba. pp. 106–109. ISBN 3-87094-082-4.

See also

• List of DRG locomotives and railbuses
• List of Prussian locomotives and railbuses