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Austrian Federal Railways class 297
German Reichsbahn class 974
Austria | 1942
2 produced
ÖBB 297.401 as a memorial in Eisenerz, Styria
ÖBB 297.401 as a memorial in Eisenerz, Styria
Simon Legner

In order to be able to increase the weight of the ore trains on the Erzbergbahn, two heavy rack locomotives with a 2-12-2RT wheel arrangement were put into service in 1942. They were initially planned as class 369 of the BBÖ, but were now incorporated directly into the Reichsbahn as class 974. At that time they were the most powerful rack locomotives in the world, but due to the lack of reinforcement of the rack rail on the north ramp of the Erzbergbahn they could only be used on the south ramp. The 97 402 was put out of service in 1949. The 97 401 became the 297.401 at the BBÖ in 1953. It received a Giesl ejector in 1958 and was retired in 1968.

General
Built1942
ManufacturerFloridsdorf
Axle config2-12-2RT (Javanic) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length48 ft 6 11/16 in
Wheelbase37 ft 6 13/16 in
Service weight275,578 lbs
Adhesive weight216,053 lbs
Water capacity925 us gal
Fuel capacitycoal
Boiler
Grate area42 sq ft
Firebox area169 sq ft
Tube heating area2,101.1 sq ft
Evaporative heating area2,270.1 sq ft
Superheater area780.4 sq ft
Total heating area3,050.5 sq ft
Power Plant
Driver diameter41.3 in
Boiler pressure232 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylindersfour, adhesion: 24 x 20 1/2 in
rack: 15 3/4 x 19 11/16 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power1,743 hp (1,300 kW)
Optimal speed10 mph
Top speed19 mph
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
freight
cog railway
tank locomotive
last changed: 08/2023
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