Class 323B 2-6-4T (1925)

Class 323B 2-Cylinder Passenger Tank Locomotive
Designed by Bela Šahlmeti
Built in 1925 by Richard Hartmann, Chemnitz, Germany

Suburban traffic had, until the mid-1920s, been in the capable hands of the 2-6-2Ts of 1909, 4-4-2Ts of 1913 and a few remaining 4-4-2Ts of 1900. Train weights had continued to increase, however, placing an ever-greater burden on the ageing engines. Bela Šahlmeti's answer was this elegant, almost slim-line 2-6-4T, his first passenger locomotive design for the RSR. The engines showed a respectable turn of speed and smart acceleration but, although not shy of steam, were dogged by a basically inadequate boiler, which was the same as that fitted to the 423BB 2-8-0s. The fault was recognised early on and later engines, classed 323BB, received larger boilers with combustion chambers and higher pressure. After that there was no holding them back and they remained in charge of RSR suburban work well into the 1950s, when they were supplanted by Rodnivacek's 4-8-4Ts. A total of 120 locomotives were built, all by Hartmann, who were by this time known as the Saxon Locomotive Works.  

Class 323BB 2-6-4T (1927)

Class 323BB 2-Cylinder Passenger Tank Locomotive
Designed by Bela Šahlmeti
Built in 1927 by Richard Hartmann, Chemnitz, Germany
Text and graphics © Norman Clubb 2012