Pc101

An unidentified Belgian class 28 locomotive prior to conversion; location and date unknown. Source: www.commons.wikimedia.org.

No. 1638 of Belgian state railways (Tubize 549/1883), originally classed 28, rebuilt and re-classed 2^bis. Source: compilation by Ir.J. Vandenberghen via Lawrence Van Haecke (many thanks!).

Side drawing of class 2^bis; source: as above.

Among various locomotives left in Poland by retreating Germans in 1918 were two class 2^bis passenger engines from Belgian state railways (Belgische Staatsspoorwegen / Chemins de fer de l'État Belge), captured in 1914, namely No. 1531 (Franco-Belge 403/1882) and No. 1640 (Tubize 551/1883). Locomotives of this type were initially assigned to German military railway authority in Brussels and classed P01. Their origin may be traced back to classes 28 (built since 1865, with 1450 mm drivers) and 2 (its modification introduced in 1875, with 1700 mm drivers), delivered by eight locomotive manufacturers. These engines, with 0-3-0 axle arrangement, were found too strong for light passenger trains and their running qualities probably left something to be desired. Some were thus converted to the 1-2-0 axle arrangement, with 1700 mm drivers and 1450 mm front idlers. First conversion was completed in 1882 and thirty more examples followed; all were classed 2^bis. This type featured Belpaire-type firebox, outer frame and Allan valve gear. There were minor differences between individual examples, depending on the manufacturer.

Two locomotives taken over by PKP in 1918 were initially classed P3^Bg, where P3 referred to Prussian class with similar characteristics and ‘Bg’ denoted Belgian origin. Both retained their Belgian service numbers and were assigned to Warsaw regional management. According to some sources, class designation Pc101 was envisaged for them within the framework of new designation system. As pointed out in LP, this seems rather doubtful, as a locomotive with 1700 mm drivers and maximum speed of a mere 75 km/h would be regarded a passenger one. Generally express engines had 1850 mm drivers, or larger. No alternative can, however, be proposed (Oc101 might seem likely). A confusion with class Pe101 (ex-Belgian class 12, acquired in the same circumstances) cannot be excluded. Be it as it was, any class assignment could be only formal, as both these locomotives disappeared from the company’s rosters before 1927.

Main technical data

No.	Parameter	Unit	Value
1.	Years of manufacture	-	1865 – 1884
2.	Total built / used in Poland	-	31^1) / 2
3.	Tender class	-
4.	Axle arrangement	-	1-2-0
5.	Design maximum speed	km/h	75
6.	Cylinder bore	mm	450
7.	Piston stroke	mm	600
8.	Engine rating	kW/hp
9.	Tractive effort	kG	4 288
10.	Boiler pressure	MPa	1.02
11.	Grate dimensions	m x m	2.7 x ?
12.	Firebox heating surface	m^2	10.92
13.	Distance between tube plates	mm	3 466
14.	Number of flue tubes	-	226
15.	Heating surface of flue tubes	m^2	98.46
16.	Number of smoke tubes	-	-
17.	Heating surface of smoke tubes	m^2	-
18.	Evaporating surface, total	m^2	109.38
19.	Superheater heating surface	m^2	-
20.	Diameter of drivers	mm	1 700
21.	Diameter of idlers front/rear	mm	1 450 / -
22.	Total weight, empty	kg	35 170
23.	Total weight, working order	kg	38 540
24.	Weight on drivers, working order	kg	26 340
25.	Weight with tender, empty	kg	45 670
26.	Weight with tender, working order	kg	60 140
27.	Maximum axle load	T	13.2
28.	Axle base (with tender)	mm	11 203
29.	Overall length (with tender)	mm	15 655
30.	Brake type	-

- Only those converted to the 1-2-0 axle arrangement (class 2^bis).

References and acknowledgments

- LP;

- Charakterystyka parowozów (Steam Locomotive Characteristics), issued by PKP Warsaw Regional Management, 1920;

- Lawrence Van Haecke (private communication);

- many thanks to Ms. Walentyna Chomańska for translation.