Bavarian Gts 4/4

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.

Bavarian Gts 4/4 DRG Class 99.15
Number(s)	Nr. 991 99 151
Quantity	1
Manufacturer	Krauss
Year(s) of manufacture	1909
Retired	1935
Wheel arrangement	0-8-0
Axle arrangement	D n2t
Type	K 44.7
Track gauge	1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ^3⁄8 in)
Length over buffers	8,442 mm
Height	3,565 mm
Wheelbase	870 mm / 860 mm
Overall wheelbase	2,600 mm
Empty weight	20.70 t
Service weight	26.0 t
Top speed	30 km/h
Indicated Power	110 kW
Driving wheel diameter	800 mm
Valve gear	Walschaerts (Heusinger) with straight rocker arm (Schwinge)
No. of cylinders	2
Cylinder bore	320 mm
Piston stroke	400 mm
Boiler Overpressure	12 bar
No. of heating tubes	108
Heating tube length	3,260 mm
Grate area	0.82 m^2
Radiative heating area	3.64 m^2
Tube heating area	44.65 m^2
Evaporative heating area	48.29 m^2
Water capacity	2.2 m^3
Fuel	1.44 t coal
Locomotive brakes	Exter counterweight brake
Train brakes	Westinghouse compressed-air brake

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.