Bavarian G 3/4 H

The Class G 3/4 H was a steam locomotive of the Royal Bavarian State Railways (Königlich Bayerische Staatsbahn) built between 1919 and 1923.

Bavarian G 3/4 H DRG Class 54.15–17 ÖBB 654
No. 54 1554, an ex-Bavarian G 3/4 H, on 7 August 1952
Number(s)	DRG 54 1501–1725
Quantity	225
Year(s) of manufacture	1919–1923
Retired	1966
Wheel arrangement	2-6-0
Axle arrangement	1'C h2
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in)
Length over buffers	17,500 mm
Service weight	62.2 t
Adhesive weight	49.8 t
Axle load	16.7 t
Top speed	65 km/h
Indicated Power	765 kW
Driving wheel diameter	1,350 mm
Leading wheel diameter	950 mm
No. of cylinders	2
Cylinder bore	520 mm
Piston stroke	630 mm
Boiler Overpressure	13 bar
Grate area	2.64 m^2
Superheater area	36,65 m^2
Evaporative heating area	130.97 m^2
Tender	Bavarian 3 T 18,2
Water capacity	18.2 m^3

Description and employment

Its striking features in comparison with the G 3/4 N were its superheater system, the feedwater preheater, the larger and higher-positioned boiler and its Adams axle. In addition, they were more powerful and efficient than their predecessors. All 225 examples that were built were taken over by the Bavarian Group Administration within the Reichsbahn and were initially operated under their old numbers. Later they were given operating numbers 54 1501–1725 following the final renumbering plan issued by the DRG. The majority of locomotives also survived the Second World War. The last engine (with operating number 54 1632) was not retired until 1966.

Model of a Bavarian G 3/4 H in DRG livery

Numbers 54.1534, 1548, 1550, 1559, 1589 and 1663 remained in Austria after the war. The ÖBB added them to their fleet and ran them as ÖBB Class 654. All engines in this class were retired by 1957. Number 654.1663 was reassigned in 1956 as an industrial locomotive in the main workshop at Simmering, where it received the number 913.502.

The engines were equipped with a Bavarian 3 T 18,2 tender.

Surviving locomotives

Remains of a G 3/4 in the Bavarian Railway Museum in Nördlingen

In 2004 the remains of a G 3/4 with works number 5395 was discovered during construction work in Treuchtlingen Station. The locomotive from the fleet based at the Munich shed was destroyed during an air raid on 11 April 1945 and buried in a bomb crater during clear up work.

The remains of the locomotive – part of the tender, the feedwater heater and pressure vessel and the first and second axles – area displayed in the Bavarian Railway Museum.

See also

• Royal Bavarian State Railways
• List of Bavarian locomotives and railbuses