List of Prussian locomotives and railbuses


This list gives an overview of the locomotives and railcars that were in the Prussian state railways. Also included are the locomotives of the Grand Duchy of Hesse State Railways and the Prussian-Hessian Railway Company.

Locomotive classification

1883 classification system

Up to 1 April 1883 the Prussian state railways or acquired private railways designated their locomotives with names and/or numbers. From that date the following numbering scheme was introduced into all the railway divisions.
This scheme applied to all state railway divisions and state-managed private railways. Locomotive numbering was organised according to the above system. However a locomotive could only be identified exactly by using the divisional name and running number in combination.
Because of the increasing numbers of locomotives being procured, the classification scheme and its range of numbers were no longer sufficient. However the numbering system was not immediately replaced. As a result, numbering chaos arose as individual divisions used spare numbers and unique designations for new locomotives.

1903 classification system

Due to the resulting confusion a new classification scheme was introduced in 1903. This was based on the systems used in the Cologne West Rhine, Elberfeld und Magdeburg railway divisions. This changeover took place between 1905 and 1908 within the divisions.
There were four main groups:
An additional number represented the power delivered by the engine and together specified its group. The higher the number the more powerful the locomotive. Engines with a medium power rating were given the number 3. Saturated steam engines were given odd, and superheated steam locomotives even, numbers.
The individual locomotive groups were given a specific range of numbers, that often differentiated between two-cylinder and compound locomotives.
Because the group criteria allowed a certain degree of freedom, and because the myriad locomotives were often different, it was possible for the same type of locomotive to be placed in different groups in the different railway divisions.
From 1910 the divisions within the groups were further refined using indices. And as older locomotives were mustered out the groups became largely uniform. As a result, from that time the group designation became simultaneously a class designation. In the margins of this measure, individual locomotive types were redesignated into other groups.
From 1914 the allocation of numbers began to be no longer consistent. This situation became worse after the end of the First World War as a result of the dissolution of the railway divisions as well as the disorganised way in which locomotives were entered into service.

Classification system for technical and engineering purposes

For technical and engineering purposes, the system introduced in 1883 was not practicable. In order to describe individual types of locomotive a second system was therefore brought in.
This scheme was based on a leading fraction for the running gear ratio, capital letters to specify the primary role and type of steam used, and additional abbreviations for special features.
There were no special abbreviations for wet steam engines, tender locomotives, two-cylinder engines and simple steam expansion.
So 2/4 H. S. L. dr. meant a four-coupled, four axled, superheated express train locomotive with carrying bogie.
Further details such as 'bus' were spelt out in full. With the addition of phrases like 'with trailing axle' it was possible to distinguish whether a carrying wheelset was in front of or behind the coupled wheels. Following on were further descriptions in order to differentiate the different locomotives. So, for example, the name of the design company, or the name of the railway division that first procured the engine, or the fact that the locomotive was built to certain standards, were added. This classification system continued even after the introduction of the 1903 scheme. From 1910 the detail of the wheel arrangement as a fraction was replaced by a combination of figures for carrying axles and letters for coupled axles.

Classification of electric locomotives and railbuses

The first locomotives built from 1908 were given the Class designation "WSL" - Wechselstrom-Schnellzug-Lokomotive and "WGL" - Wechselstrom-Güterzug-Lokomotive as well as operating numbers: from 10201 for the goods train engines and 10501 for the expresses. In addition the name of the railway division followed. Because the system was no longer adequate for the locomotives ordered from 1911 a system was introduced similar to the steam engine classification scheme.
It comprised the class designations:
Multiple locomotives were designated with lower case letters.
The railbuses were initially only given an operating number. From 1910 type letters were introduced.
There were far more locomotives than available 4-digit numbers; consequently each division had its own list. Locomotives transferred between divisions would be renumbered. The 22 divisions were:
The operating numbers were always given together with their originating railway division in order to avoid any possible confusion.

Remarks about the tables

The lists give an overview of the locomotives procured by the Prussian state railways from 1880 or as standard types thereafter.

Steam locomotives

Express train locomotives

ClassNumber rangeDRG numberQuantityYear BuiltTypeRemarks
1–100141884–18871B n2vHanover type
1–1002601885–18981B n2Standard type based on to M III-2; 3 units, classed as P 3
101–200218902′B n2vExperimental loco, Hannover
101–200218912′B n2Experimental loco, Erfurt variant
101–200218912′B n2vExperimental loco, Erfurt variant
101–2001481892–18932′B n2Standard type based on M III-2a, copy of the Erfurt experimental loco
101–200118922′B n2Experimental loco with Lentz flue boiler
S 3201–40013 002 – 02810271893–19032′B n2vStandard type based on M III-2b; 4 units with Pielock water separator, classified S 4 for a time
S 3201–40013 0012′B n2vRebuild of S 2 based on M III-2a with compound system
S 4401–500118982′B h2Superheated trials engine with fire tube superheater
S 4401–50021899–19002′B h2Superheated trials engine with smokebox superheater
S 4401–50013 501 – 5041041898–19092′B h2Standard type based on M XIV-2
501–600118942′B n4vExperimental locomotive with four-cylinder compound engine, of the same type as for the Chemins de fer du Nord
501–600171900–19032′B n4vHannover variant
501–600221902–19032′B n4vGrafenstaden variant
501–60013 651 – 8503671905–19112′B n2vStandard type based on M III-2b, so-called "strengthened S 3"; classified S 3 until 1910
S 6601–70013 1001 – 12865841906–19132′B h2Standard type based on M XIV-2a
701–8001591902–19062′B1′ n4vStandard type based on M III-2f, Hanover variant; one with Pielock water separator, classified S 8 for a time
701–800791902–19052′B1′ n4vGrafenstaden variant, delivered in 3 versions
S 8801–90014 001 – 0022′B1′ h4vRebuilt S 9 based on M III-2g with superheater
901–1000219042′B2′ n3vFast Wittfeld-Kuhn trials locomotive
S 9901–100014 031991908–19102′B1′ n4vStandard type based on M III-2g, 2 prototypes initially classified as S 7
S 101001–110017 001 – 1352021910–19142′C h4Standard type based on M XIV-2b, 2 prototypes initially classified as S 8
S 1011101–120017 1001 – 1123,
17 1145 – 1153
1451911–19142′C h4vStandard type based on M XIV-2c1, 1911 version
S 1011101–120017 1124 – 1144,
17 1154 – 1209
921914–19162′C h4vStandard type based on M XIV-2c2, 1914 version
S 1021201–130017 201 – 2961241914–19162′C h3Standard type based on M XIV-2d; like the S 10, only with 3 cylinders
1301–719181′C2′ h4vkkStB 310.300; 10 ordered from the kkStB, 7 taken over by Prussia, handed to Poland in 1922

Passenger train locomotives

ClassNumber rangeDRG numberQuantityYear BuiltTypeRemarks
1501 –1550561885–18911′B n2Standard type based on M III-1b, so-called "newer Ruhr-Sieg type"; 24 units classified as P 2
P 21551–16001661877–18841B n2Standard type based on M 15, with inside valve gear; 7 units classified as P 3
P 21551–1600761878–18831B n2Standard type based on M 16, with outside valve gear; 17 units classified as P 1
P 21551–1600518862′B n2Cöln linksreheinisch Division variant
1601–1700318912′B n2vSo-called "Mosel railway locomotives"; like the P 32, only with bogie
1601–17006851885–18991B n2Standard type based on M III-1
1701–18001311887–19031B n2vStandard type based on M III-1a
1801–1900218912′B n2Experimental locomotive, Erfurt variant
1801–1900551891–18922′B n2Standard type based on M III-1c, copy of the Erfurt experimental locomotive
1801–190036 7001 – 70094241893–19012′B n2Standard type based on M III-1d
1801–1900118982′B h2Superheated experimental locomotive with fire tube superheater
1901–2000218912′B n2vExperimental locomotive, Erfurt variant
1901–200036 002 – 4387071898–19102′B n2vStandard type based on M III-1c
1901–200036 0012′B n2vP 41 rebuilt to compound operation, based on M III-c
P 62101–230037 001 – 1602721901–19101′C h2Standard type based on M XIV-1; 37 161 - 163 identical engines of the former Royal Military Railway
2301–2400181899–19022′C n4vGrafenstaden variant
P 82401–280038 1001 – 1572,
38 1576 – 1749,
38 1752 – 1790,
38 1793 – 2022,
38 2024 – 2025,
38 2027 – 2118,
38 2120 – 3389,
38 3395 – 3673,
38 3677 – 3792,
38 3951 – 4000
34981906–19232′C h2Standard type based on M XIV-1a
39 001–- 2602601922–19251′D1′ h3

Goods train locomotives

ClassNumber rangeDRG numberQuantityYear BuiltTypeRemarks
3001–3050491887–1897B n2Standard type based on M III-3g
G 23051–3100451888–1901B1 n2Standard type based on M III-3b; 24 units classified as P 2, 2 units classified as P 3
G 33101–360053 7001 – 715722191877–1901C n2Standard type based on M III-3 ; loco with 10 kp/cm² boiler pressure should be classified as G 3, with 12 kp/cm² as G 41
G 413601–380053 7601 – 761722191877–1901C n2Standard type based on M III-3 ; loco with 10 kp/cm² boiler pressure should be classified as G 3, with 12 kp/cm² as G 41
3801–390053 001 – 0247741882–1903C n2vStandard type based on M III-3a, compounded variant of the G 3
3901–400053 301 – 327631903–1907C n2vStandard type based on M III-3o, Union variant
G 514001–440054 001 – 0712681892–19021′C n2Standard type based on M III-3c, with Allan valve gear and Adams axle.
4001–440054 201 – 323,
54 325 – 342,
54 345 – 352,
54 354 – 367
4991896–19011′C n2vStandard type based on M III-3h, compounded variant of the G 51
4001–440054 601 – 6712061903–19061′C n2Standard type based on M III-3l, two-cylinder variant of the G 54
G 544001–440054 801 – 981,
54 985 – 1079,
54 1083 – 1084
7531901–19101′C n2v
1′C h2v
Standard type based on M III-3k, with Walschaerts valve gear and Krauss-Helmholtz bogie
G 554001–440054 1080 – 1082,
54 1085 – 1092
2019101′C n2vStandard type based on M III-3n; like the G 54, but with Adams axle
G 714401–460055 001 – 66012051893–1917D n2Standard type based on M III-3d
4601–480055 702 – 55 139216461895–1911D n2vStandard type based on M III-3i, compounded variant of the G71
4601–480055 701,
56 001 – 005
851893–19171′D n2vStandard type based on M III-3e
G 84801–500055 1601 – 225610541902–1913D h2Standard type based on M XIV-3
G 814801–5000,
5151–5400
55 2501 – 2945,
55 2947 – 3337,
55 3341 – 3366,
55 3368 – 4274,
55 4280 – 4284,
55 4286 – 5622
49581913–1921D h2Standard type based on M XIV-3b
G 8256 2001 – 2275,
56 2281 – 2485,
56 2551 – 2916
8461919–19281′D h2
G 8356 101 – 185851919–19201′D h3
5001–5150271893–1898B′B n4vStandard type based on M III-3f, articulated Mallet locomotive
5001–515055 2301 – 24332001908–1911D n2Standard type based on M III-3m, 36 units, rebuilt in 1923/24 into D h2
G 105401–555057 1001 – 1123,
57 1125 – 2725,
57 2892 – 3101
26151910–1924E h2Standard type based on XIV-3a
5551–555558 1001519171′E h36 units, ordered by the CFOA, 5 units taken over by Prussia
G 12from 555158 1002 – 214311681917–19221′E h3Standard type based on M XIV-3d, 10 units, sold to Baden in 1920
G 121from 555158 001 – 015211915–19171'E h3Standard type based on M XIV-3c

Tank locomotives

ClassNumber rangeDRG numberQuantityYear BuiltTypeRemarks
6001–6040101880, 18831A n2t
1A n2vt
Various types
6001–6040761882–1886B n2tVarious types
6041–6100671884–1889B n2tStandard type
6041–6100701881–18821B n2t1st Berlin type
6041–6100181884B1 n2t
6041–610051895, 1902B1 n2tStandard type
T 36100–640089 7001 – 751118041881–1910C n2t
6401–6600141884–18881B n2tMagdeberg variant
6401–6600241885–18901′B n2tHanover variant
6401–6600781888–18931B n2t2nd Berlin type
6401–66001771890–18981B n2tStandard type T 4
6401–6600631889–1897B1 n2t
6401–6600318981′B n2t
T 516601–670071 001 – 0263091895–19051′B1′ n2t
T 526601–670072 001 – 002361899–19002′B n2t,
2′B h2t
6701–68001219021′C1′ n3t,
1′C1′ n2t
6801–700089 7801 – 78693741876–1900C n2
T 87001–705089 001 – 0781001906–1909C h2t
T 9 Elberfeld7051–740090 116
371891–1900C1′ n2t
T 9 Langenschwalbach7051–740090 232, 233191892–1895C1′ n2t
T 917051–740090 001 – 021,
90 024 – 115,
90 117 – 122,
90 125 – 231
4251893–1909C1′ n2tSeveral locos wrongly classified as 91.0–1 and 91.3
T 927051–740091 001 – 087,
91 090 – 108,
91 115
2351892–19011′C n2tSeveral locos wrongly classified as 90.0–2
T 937051–740091 303 – 180520601902–19221′C n2t
T 107401–750076 001 – 0111219092′C h2t
T 117501–770074 001 – 3584701903–19101′C n2t,
1′C h2t
T 127701–7900
Berlin 8201–8500
Berlin 8701–8754
74 401 – 543,
74 545 – 1310
9741902–19161′C h2t
T 13 Hagans7901–8000291899–1902D n2t
T 137901–800092 501 – 584,
92 589 – 605,
92 608 – 731,
92 739 – 909,
92 914 – 954,
92 1001 – 1072
5851899–1922D n2t
7901–800092 405 – 41391921, 1922D h2t
Berlin 8501119131′D1′ h2t
T 148501–870093 001 – 4175471913–19181′D1′ h2t,
1′D1′ h3t
T 1418501–8700
Berlin 8901–9105
93 501 – 794,
93 815 – 831,
93 851 – 1017
7291918–19241′D1′ h2t93 1018 – 1261 procured by the DRG
8001–8100931897–1905E n2t
Erfurt 1980119042′C2′ h4vtExperimental locomotive
T 168101–820094 201 – 464,
94 468 – 490
94 501
3431905–1913E h2t
T 1618101–8200
Essen 8201–8400
Essen 8601–8809
94 502 – 1377,
94 1501 – 1584
12361913–1924E h2t94 1585 – 1740 procured by the DRG
T 188401–8500
Essen 8901–8960
78 001 – 092,
78 094 – 145,
78 166 – 282,
78 351 – 401
4601912–19272′C2′ h2t78 402 – 528 procured by the DRG
95 001 – 045451922–19241′E1′ h2tDelivery ran into the DRG era
9001–905097 001 – 030351902–1920C1′ n2ztRack railway locomotive
Erfurt 910197 401119221′D1′ h2ztRack railway locomotive

Narrow gauge locomotives

Electric locomotives

Class/No.DRG numberQuantityYear BuiltTypeRemarks
E 00 02319112′B1′
119121′D1′
119131′C1′
119141′C1′
E 01 09 – E 01 19111914–19221′C1′
E 06 01 – E 06 0771924–19262′C2′Procured by the DRG
EP 201119121′D1′Originally classified as EG 501
E 30 02 – E 30 08719151′C1′
E 49 00219222′B+B1′
E 42 13, E 42 1421924B′B′Procured by the DRG
E 42 15 – E 42 1951924–1925B′B′Procured by the DRG
E 50 35119172′D1′
E 50 36 – E 50 46111923–19242′D1′
E 50 47 – E 50 5261923–19242′D1′
EG 502 to EG 505E 70 02 – E 70 0541911D
EG 506E 70 0611911D
EG 507 and EG 508E 70 07, E 70 0821913D
EG 509/510119111′B + B1′
E 71 11 – E 71 37271914–1922B′B′
E 91 38 – E 91 49121915B+B+B
E 90 51 – E 90 60101919–1923C+C
E 92 71 – E 92 7991923–1925Co+Co
E 91 81 – E 91 94141925–1926C′C′Ordered by the DRG
E 77 51 – E 77 75251924–1926Ordered by the DRG
E 73 0311911Bo+Bo
11913Bo+Bo
11910A1A
E 73 0511923Bo′Bo′
EV 6E 73 0611926Bo′Bo′Ordered by the DRG
31914B

Railbuses