German Reichsbahn class 41

For fast freight service, the Reichsbahn chose the 2-8-2 wheel arrangement in order to be able to achieve the required power with an axle load of 18 tonnes. To increase the adhesive weight on main lines, the axle load of the drivers could be changed to 20 tonnes by switching the position of some bolts. With a driving wheel diameter of 1,600 mm, the approved top speed was 90 km/h. The boiler pressure was initially set at 20 bars, but had to be reduced to 16 bars because of the problems with the St 47 K alloy that became brittle over time. After the war, the Reichsbahn and the Bundesbahn fitted their class 41 locomotives with new boilers. The Bundesbahn withdrew the last coal-fired locomotives in 1971, but those which had been converted to burn oil and which were now designated class 042, remained in service until 1977. The East German Bundesbahn even used their locomotives until 1988. Today, a number are still existing, with a few still in working order.