DRG Class 81

 • Engine4,200 mm (13 ft 9+3⁄8 in)Length:
​ • Over headstocks9,780 mm (32 ft 1 in) • Over buffers11,080 mm (36 ft 4+1⁄4 in)Height4,165 mm (13 ft 8 in)Axle load16.9 t (16.6 long tons; 18.6 short tons)Adhesive weight67.5 t (66.4 long tons; 74.4 short tons)Empty weight52.0 t (51.2 long tons; 57.3 short tons)Service weight67.5 t (66.4 long tons; 74.4 short tons)Fuel typeCoalFuel capacity3.0 t (3.0 long tons; 3.3 short tons)Water cap.8 m³ (1,760 imp gal; 2,110 US gal)Firebox:​ • Grate area1.78 m² (19.2 sq ft)Boiler:
​ • Pitch2,700 mm (8 ft 10+1⁄4 in) • Tube plates3,500 mm (11 ft 5+3⁄4 in) • Small tubes44.5 mm (1+3⁄4 in), 114 off • Large tubes118 mm (4+5⁄8 in), 32 offBoiler pressure14 bar (14.3 kgf/cm²; 203 psi)Heating surface:​ • Firebox7.7 m² (83 sq ft) • Tubes49.5 m² (533 sq ft) • Flues38.7 m² (417 sq ft) • Total surface95.9 m² (1,032 sq ft)Superheater:
​ • Heating area34.0 m² (366 sq ft)CylindersTwo, outsideCylinder size500 mm × 550 mm (19+11⁄16 in × 21+5⁄8 in)Loco brakeeinlösige Knorr compressed-air brakes, K-GP mZ auxiliary brake

Performance figures
Maximum speed	45 km/h (28 mph)
Indicated power	860 PS (633 kW; 848 hp)

Career
Operators	Deutsche Reichsbahn
Numbers	81 001 – 81 010
Retired	1963

The locomotives of the German DRG Class 81 were standard (Einheitsdampflokomotiven) goods train tank locomotives with the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft (DRG).

In 1928, ten examples were delivered by the firm of Hanomag that matched the Class 80 locomotives in many details. The axles were all fixed rigidly to the frame, but the middle one had thinner wheel flanges. In contrast to the Class 80s, the Class 81 engines had a larger heating area and carried more coal and water. The delivery of 60 more vehicles was cancelled in 1940 due to the Second World War. The locomotives were mainly employed on heavy shunting duties. After their collection, the ten engines were allocated to the locomotive depots (Bahnbetriebswerken or Bw) of Goslar (81 001–005) and Oldenburg (81 006–010). In 1945 all the engines were in the Oldenburg area and went over to the Deutsche Bundesbahn. The last engine was taken out of service in October 1963. Number 81 005 was still working as an industrial loco in AW Nied after its retirement from the DB.

Preserved locomotives

Number 81 004 is the only one of its type to have been preserved. After passing through several owners and locations, it has found a home with the Hessencourrier society, who intend to have it refurbished.

See also

• List of DRG locomotives and railbuses

References

• Hütter, Ingo (2021). Die Dampflokomotiven der Baureihen 60 bis 91 der DRG, DRB, DB, und DR (in German). Werl: DGEG Medien. ISBN 978-3-946594-21-5.
• Weisbrod, Manfred; Müller, Hans; Petznik, Wolfgang (1978). Dampflokomotiven deutscher Eisenbahnen, Baureihe 60–96 (EFA 1.3) (in German) (4th ed.). Düsseldorf: Alba. pp. 100–102, 241. ISBN 3-87094-083-2.