MÁV Class 411

MÁV Class 411

Preserved MÁV Class 411 number 411.118 in 2003
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Builder ALCO
Baldwin
Lima
Build date 1946–
Total produced 510
Specifications
Configuration 2-8-0
Fuel type coal or oil
Career
First run 1947
Withdrawn 1965–
Scrapped 1965–1980
Disposition some preserved: 411.118, 411.144, 411.264, 411.358, 411.388 and two parts locomotives, 411.380 and one unidentified

The MÁV Class 411 was a class of steam locomotives used by Hungarian railways.

History

After World War II there was a severe shortage on locomotives in Hungary, as the MÁV stock was partly destroyed in war actions or taken away by the German troops to Germany and to Austrian territory. The US Government offered Hungary a $150 million commodity loan and a part of this was used to purchase 510 pieces of the USATC S160 Class steam locomotives, for $10,000 each. The negotiations started in 1946, with the first engines arriving in May 1947. The origins of the Hungarian S160s were as follows:

In their delivery state 425 locomotives were set up as coal burners while 85 engines as oil burners, changing the fuel was always possible.

The locomotives were classified due to their four driven axles and an axle load higher than 14.3 metric tons as MÁV Class 411. The Hungarian series numbering followed neither the manufacturer's name or number, nor the production date, but the arrival date in Hungary. The poorest quality 28 engines got no MÁV numbers, these were preserved as component sources for later repairs. MÁV immediately performed tests to find out load characteristics, loading and breaking tables were created. By January 1948, 405 locomotives were already prepared for service.

Modifications

Unlike many other European users of the S160 locomotives MÁV considered these engines as a medium-term solution and decided to change many details on them. These changes were performed during a longer period, up to the 1960s. The most important and well visible changes were the following ones:

Class 411 locomotives hauled mainly medium size freight trains, as well as occasional passenger trains. They were considered as reliable and handsome engines with considerable reserves.

Withdrawal

Their withdrawal started in 1965 and continued by scrapping 15-30 locomotives every year. In 1980 only 6 pieces remained; they were withdrawn in the following three years. According to preservation lists,[1] three Class 411 machines are preserved in Hungary:

The 411,144 was originally intended to be preserved with the Hungarian National Collection, but was mistakenly sent to be scrapped. Fortunately, the 411,144 was purchased in 1992 by Martin Haines for the Milton-Keynes Locomotion & Navigation (GB), and is now preserved at the Churnet Valley Railway, along with another S160 from China. 411,388 was sold to the East Lancashire Railway in the same year, and is currently being assessed for an overhaul at the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre. The center also has received the remains of 411,380 and another unidentified 411 class, which will be used as parts sources for 411,388.

References

  1. ↑ Kirchner Attila, Soltész József, Tóth Sándor and Villányi György. "Magyarországon megőrzött mozdonyok" (in Hungarian). Retrieved January 2, 2008.
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