
Class
433E 3-Cylinder General Purpose Locomotive
Designed
by Mikhail Rodnivacek
Built
in 1950 by Henschel & Sohn, Kassel, Germany
and
RSR
Works, Bevice-Akohniçe, Ruhnia
The
history of the 433E is in direct parallel to that of 344F 4-6-2. The
derailing tendency of the back bogies and the clogged-up ashpans needed a
more drastic solution. Crews
also complained that the big smoke deflectors obstructed the view
forward.
Thus the remaining 433Cs and 433CCs were included in the rebuilding programme
that Tešlov instituted on his return after the Second World War. Tešlov
retired before much more than draughting and pattern-making had been
done and the work was
completed by his able successor, to whom the design is also attributed.
Rodnivacek augmented his chief's concept, which included Houlet
superheaters, bar frames and roller bearings, with boxpok wheels, high
running plates and
improved
suspension. In the final analysis, not much was left of the original
engines. A total of 14 locomotives were rebuilt, some of the work being
contracted out to Henschel and making a useful contribution to the
RSR's fast goods motive power stud. Some locos ran for a number of
years with Vanderbilt tenders, as shown below.

In the austere years following the
Second World War, the RSR was looking for ways to improve the power and
efficiency of its engines at minimum cost. The poppet valves used on a
small number of LMS "Black Fives" seemed promising and were applied to
six 344Es in 1951. Comparative trials showed much improved performance
and reduced coal and water consumption but also higher maintenance
costs. Rodnivacek was convinced that through good detail design the
poppet valves could be made sufficiently robust and trouble-free
for general application. And so it was. All engines of class 433E received
poppet valves to become class 433EE, conversion being completed by the end of
1954. Vanderbilt tenders were also applied to the entire class.
