Kriegslokomotive

1942 · Class 52 · Work 20 of 1,871

Kriegslokomotive, 1942, Class 52

A class 52 war locomotive stripped to essentials, plain welded boiler and simplified fittings, standing in a bleak marshalling yard under a grey winter sky.

What it was used for
Supply to the Eastern Front. More than 7,000 built from 1942, peaking at about fifty a day in July 1943.
What was new
Built for a short life: less non-ferrous metal, fewer man-hours, simplified parts. After the war many ran on for decades — in Poland, the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Hungary. Fifty-three went to Turkey: ten delivered, forty-three on loan and seized when Turkey declared war on Germany; they hauled the Simplon–Orient Express until 1971. A design meant to be thrown away that never was.

Connections

Every connection names its kind. “Forerunner” on its own would be a claim.

  1. Follows fromBaureihe 501939Class 52 was created in 1942 as a simplified version of Class 50: material was scarce and the demand for locomotives high. The same basic design, rationalised for wartime production.Source: Die »Kriegslok« 52 5804 — Deutsches Dampflokomotiv Museum Neuenmarkt-Wirsberg · Dampflokomotive 52 4900 — DB Museum Halle (Saale)