Class 655B
5-Cylinder Triple-Expansion Compound
Express Goods Locomotive
Designed by
Artur Gorote
Built in 2004 at RSR
Works, Bevice-Akohniçe, Ruhnia
Although
the class
755A 4-14-4 was never officially meant to be
built, the temptation to try it was strong. Gorote's team decided in
the event to exploit the extra length to accommodate larger driving
wheels, resulting in the twelve-coupled design shown here. Since the
weight calculation of the 755A gave an axle load of 23.8
tonnes, it was felt that one axle less would not be acceptable and so a
six-wheeled rear bogie was applied. This required a reduction in the
depth of the firebox. Curve negotiation is no greater challenge than
with the 655A. The design team also increased the coal capacity of the
tender and fitted two six-wheeled bogies. The rest of the locomotive is
of time-honoured design, including five-cylinder triple-expansion
compound drive, bar frames, bokpok wheels, intermediate-pressure
resuperheat and gas producer combustion system. A total of thirty
locomotives were delivered in 2004 and 2005. As expected, the
performance surpassed that of the 655A, owing to the larger driving
wheels. A further consequence of this feature has been that the 655Bs
are used on
the northern plains, taking over trains which have been hauled across
the mountains by the 655As. These superb engines are allocated mainly
to Kalmorska,
Forihv and Magane sheds.
Text and graphics © Norman Clubb 2012