What if Dampflok Nr.2 could talk? It would tell tales of a bygone era. This steam locomotive stands as a monument to industrial prowess. The Dampflok Nr.2 whispers stories of innovation and hard work.
Dampflok Nr.2 is more than just metal and steam. It represents a time when locomotives were the kings of transportation. Imagine the Kӧln-Bonner Eisenbahnen relying on these powerful machines. They needed stronger locomotives after World War I. The older ones just couldn’t handle the increasing loads.
Hohenzollern responded by building heavy four-coupled engines. These engines had superheated steam boilers and an axle load of 17 tons. The Dampflok Nr.2 is similar to the Hohenzollern Typ Hamborn. Nine of those were made for industrial railways between 1909 and 1925.
The Kӧln-Bonner Eisenbahnen received fourteen of these locomotives with superheated steam boilers. The first five were numbered 31 to 35. Initially, the first two locomotives had different boiler designs. Their domes and sandboxes shared a common casing. The KBE later removed this casing. They also replaced the steam brake with their standard air brake.
These machines were reliable. The Dampflok Nr.2 experienced some flange wear. But one locomotive remained in service until 1963. It stayed active until the end of steam operations at KBE.
The Moerser Kreisbahn also used these locomotives. They had three, numbered 60 to 62. They operated until the mid-1960s before being retired. Klöckner-Werke Rauxel also had one. Theirs was number 3. It stood out with its round sandboxes. It served in several mines. In 1970, Ruhrkohle AG took it over. Renamed D-780, it was used until 1973. Sadly, none of these locomotives have survived today.
The KBE locomotives like Dampflok Nr.2 had two sandboxes. Locomotives after KBE 59 lost the front side window. These locomotives had strong plate frames. The third axle drove the wheels. Its flanges were weakened by 15 mm. The second and fourth coupled axles had a lateral play of ±20 mm. This helped it navigate curves better.
Two injectors fed the boiler with 125 or 150 liters of water. Heusinger controls operated the steam engine. The blastpipe sat high in the machine. Hohenzollern designed unique safety valves. They also used pressure equalization piston valves. These were only used in this series.
Consider Dampflok Nr.2 not just as an artifact. See it as a symbol of Bonn’s industrial past. It is a reminder of the power and ingenuity that shaped this region. As you stand here, listen to the echoes of the past. Imagine the steam, the sounds and the tireless work of the Dampflok Nr.2.