Prussian G 8.3

Prussian G 8.3 DRG Class 56.1
Number(s)	DRG 56 101–185
Quantity	85
Manufacturer	Henschel
Year(s) of manufacture	1918-1920
Retired	1967
Wheel arrangement	2-8-0
Axle arrangement	1'D h3
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Length over buffers	16,975 mm
Service weight	82.5 t
Adhesive weight	70.7 t
Axle load	17.9 t
Top speed	65–75 km/h
Indicated Power	912 kW
Driving wheel diameter	1,400 mm
Leading wheel diameter	1,000 mm
No. of cylinders	3
Cylinder bore	520 mm
Piston stroke	660 mm
Boiler Overpressure	14 bar
Grate area	3.43 m²
Superheater area	53.12 m²
Evaporative heating area	167.05 m²
Tender	pr 3 T 20
Water capacity	20.0 m³

The Prussian G 8.3 was a 2-8-0, superheated, freight locomotive with three cylinders. It was developed to redress the lack of goods locomotives after the First World War. The inspiration to design a 2-8-0 locomotive based on the 2-10-0 Prussian G 12 came from Württemberg. The first vehicle was delivered in 1918. Compared with the G 12, the G 8.3 had one boiler shell and coupled axle fewer. After it had proved itself, a total of 85 examples of the G 8.3 were placed in service, all of which were taken over by the Reichsbahn, where they were numbered 56 101–185. No more were built thereafter because the G 8.2, with only two cylinders, was less costly to procure and maintain.

Of the 68 engines that survived the Second World War, 6 went into the Deutsche Bundesbahn, who transferred them in 1948 to private railways, and 62 to the DR in East Germany. The DR machines were retired by 1967.

The vehicles were equipped with Prussian pr 3 T 20 tenders.

See also

• Prussian state railways
• List of Prussian locomotives and railcars

External links

• There is a relevant English-language forum at Railways of Germany