Locomotive No. 64-305 Class 64 2-6-2T
Country of origin: Germany.
Builders: Krupps, Essen, No. 1308. Year 1934. Number of cylinders: 2 (19.7" x 26"(500x660mm)). Boiler pressure: 203 psi. (14Kg/cm2) Driving wheels diameter: 4'8". (1422mm) Weight: 74tons 18cwt. (76.1 tonnes) Train brakes: Air. Original owner: Deutsches Reichesbahn. Current owner: Nene Valley Railway. |
BACKGROUND
64.305 is a member of one of the standard dasses developed by the Deutsches Reichesbahn in the early 1920’s. The first locomotive appeared in February 1928. Fifteen manufacturers built 520 from 1927 to 1940, the last ninety cancelled due to World War Two. The Class 64s were built and were used on branch lines and light suburban passenger work all over Germany. In the aftermath of the War the Class 64 were spread out across Europe with examples serving in Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union! They were eventually withdrawn from service in 1975 from East Germany. Some engines reaching 1.5 million miles (2.4 million Km) in service.
LOCOMOTIVE HISTORY
64.305 was one of the 65 built by Krupps in Essen. Its first Allocation in 1934 was to Rbd Köln at Geldern Shed. In March 1943 our Class 64 was transferred to Rbd Nürnberg at Würzburg Shed. At the end of World War Two the German Railways were split within East & West Germany. 64305 came under the “Deutsches Bundesbahn” (DB) West Germany State Railway. Between 1964 & 1967 Würzburg Shed closed to steam with the remaining locomotives transferred to Nürnberg shed. Unlike Britain steam continued in West Germany into the 1970’s were 64305 by now numbered 064 305-6 for the UIC computer system. Steam was being phased out though and our class 64 was transferred to Weiden shed on 18th March 1974 before final withdrawal on 9th June 1974 although a couple of its shedmates survived until 5th December 1974
PRESERVATION
The locomotive was then purchased by a group of members of the Severn Valley Railway and moved to Bridgnorth in 1974. However it proved to be too large to be used on the SVR and was purchased by Richard Hurlock and brought to the Nene Valley Railway in August 1977. A considerable amount of work proved to be necessary to return 64.305 to first class running order and this has been carried out at intervals over the years, culminating in a general repair during 1982-1983.
This is an ideal locomotive for operating NVR services and has seen much service on the Line. In 1985 it was sold to the Nene Valley Railway. 64.305 has featured in several TV films. The locomotive is restored in the livery and insignia of Deutsches Bundesbahn, but on occasions, in connection with filming contracts, it has reverted to the original Deutsches Reichesbahn insignia.
The locomotive was taken out of traffic in 1987. In 1988, Flying Scotsman Services required an air pump to fit to 4472 Flying Scotsman in preparation for working the air braked stock in Australia. Consequently, 64.305's air pump was loaned to Flying Scotsman for it's tour of Australia in 1989-90. Thus a part of this German engine really does qualify as being truly 'international'. The locomotive now stands in Wansford shed awaiting eventual restoration.
64.305 is a member of one of the standard dasses developed by the Deutsches Reichesbahn in the early 1920’s. The first locomotive appeared in February 1928. Fifteen manufacturers built 520 from 1927 to 1940, the last ninety cancelled due to World War Two. The Class 64s were built and were used on branch lines and light suburban passenger work all over Germany. In the aftermath of the War the Class 64 were spread out across Europe with examples serving in Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union! They were eventually withdrawn from service in 1975 from East Germany. Some engines reaching 1.5 million miles (2.4 million Km) in service.
LOCOMOTIVE HISTORY
64.305 was one of the 65 built by Krupps in Essen. Its first Allocation in 1934 was to Rbd Köln at Geldern Shed. In March 1943 our Class 64 was transferred to Rbd Nürnberg at Würzburg Shed. At the end of World War Two the German Railways were split within East & West Germany. 64305 came under the “Deutsches Bundesbahn” (DB) West Germany State Railway. Between 1964 & 1967 Würzburg Shed closed to steam with the remaining locomotives transferred to Nürnberg shed. Unlike Britain steam continued in West Germany into the 1970’s were 64305 by now numbered 064 305-6 for the UIC computer system. Steam was being phased out though and our class 64 was transferred to Weiden shed on 18th March 1974 before final withdrawal on 9th June 1974 although a couple of its shedmates survived until 5th December 1974
PRESERVATION
The locomotive was then purchased by a group of members of the Severn Valley Railway and moved to Bridgnorth in 1974. However it proved to be too large to be used on the SVR and was purchased by Richard Hurlock and brought to the Nene Valley Railway in August 1977. A considerable amount of work proved to be necessary to return 64.305 to first class running order and this has been carried out at intervals over the years, culminating in a general repair during 1982-1983.
This is an ideal locomotive for operating NVR services and has seen much service on the Line. In 1985 it was sold to the Nene Valley Railway. 64.305 has featured in several TV films. The locomotive is restored in the livery and insignia of Deutsches Bundesbahn, but on occasions, in connection with filming contracts, it has reverted to the original Deutsches Reichesbahn insignia.
The locomotive was taken out of traffic in 1987. In 1988, Flying Scotsman Services required an air pump to fit to 4472 Flying Scotsman in preparation for working the air braked stock in Australia. Consequently, 64.305's air pump was loaned to Flying Scotsman for it's tour of Australia in 1989-90. Thus a part of this German engine really does qualify as being truly 'international'. The locomotive now stands in Wansford shed awaiting eventual restoration.