Th21

KFNB No. 292 ‘Granica’ (StEG 719/1865) represents early production variant with open crew compartment. Location and date unknown. Re-numbered kkStB 149.06, this engine remained in use with BBÖ until 1926. Source: www.commons.wikimedia.org.

Another picture from this source: KFNB No. 317 ‘Sokolnitz’ (Sigl 604/1868), already with partly enclosed cab. Location and date unknown. Re-numbered kkStB 149.29, this was one of the last locomotives in the BBÖ service, written off in 1929.

Side drawing of the ČSD class 311.3 with class 309.0 (kkStB class 8) tender. Source: EZ vol. 1.

In 1865 Kaiser-Ferdinands-Nordbahn (KFNB) purchased first 0-3-0 freight locomotives, intended mainly for heavy coal trains. Production continued until 1870 and in all 77 examples were delivered. Two versions were built in parallel, classed Vc1 (25 examples) and Vc2 (52 examples); the latter had steam pressure increased from 8.5 to 10 bar and higher rating. They were assigned service numbers 287 through 363 and all had individual names. They were typical freight locomotives for their time, with outer frame, Stephenson valve gear and high steam dome. First nine engines from StEG had open footplate crew compartment, with a small windshield providing the only protection against elements. All remaining 68 examples, delivered by Sigl, had partly enclosed cabs which were later fitted also to earlier engines during overhauls. These locomotives were coupled with various two-axle (class 8) or three-axle (classes 44 and 45) tenders. Classes Vc1 and Vc2 soon proved too weak for heavy freight traffic; since 1871 they were gradually supplanted by more powerful class Vd (later kkStB 51, PKP Th16) and relegated to secondary lines and switching. KFNB was nationalized in 1907 and 75 locomotives of this type were impressed into state railways kkStB (Nos. 293 and 294 were withdrawn earlier). They were classed 149. Later they were fitted with modified boilers, with 161 flues instead of 165 and 10 bar steam pressure.

Seven 149s were withdrawn before 1918. Austrian railways BBÖ kept 25 examples, last were written off in 1929. Czechoslovakian railways ČSD took over 34 engines, of which 27 were later classed 311.3 (seven were withdrawn before new designation system came into use). Due to their obsolescence they were used mainly for switching and last remained in service until 1940. The remaining nine examples (two Vc1s and seven Vc2s) went to Poland. According to www.pospichal.net/lokstatistik they were classed Th21, but this is not confirmed by other sources. Anyway, if re-numbering in fact took place, it was only formal, as all these obsolete engines were withdrawn from use until 1924. No locomotive of this type has been preserved.

Main technical data

No.	Parameter	Unit	Value
1.	Years of manufacture	-	1865 – 1870
2.	Total built / used in Poland	-	77 / 9
3.	Tender class	-
4.	Axle arrangement	-	0-3-0
5.	Design maximum speed	km/h	45
6.	Cylinder bore	mm	2 X 435
7.	Piston stroke	mm	632
8.	Engine rating	kW/hp	275 / 375
9.	Tractive effort	kG
10.	Boiler pressure	MPa	1.02
11.	Grate dimensions	m X m	1.60 m^2
12.	Firebox heating surface	m^2	7.9
13.	Distance between tube plates	mm	4 110
14.	Number of flue tubes	-	161
15.	Heating surface of flue tubes	m^2	109.5
16.	Number of smoke tubes	-	-
17.	Heating surface of smoke tubes	m^2	-
18.	Evaporating surface, total	m^2	117.4
19.	Superheater heating surface	m^2	-
20.	Diameter of drivers	mm	1 266
21.	Diameter of idlers front/rear	mm	- / -
22.	Total weight, empty	kg	29 000
23.	Total weight, working order	kg	32 000
24.	Weight on drivers, working order	kg	32 000
25.	Weight with tender, empty	kg	41 000
26.	Weight with tender, working order	kg	58 100
27.	Maximum axle load	T
28.	Axle base (with tender)	mm	9 630
29.	Overall length (with tender)	mm	13 640
30.	Brake type	-

Note: all data for final version with class 8 (KFNB class H2) tender.

References and acknowledgments

- www.pospichal.net/lokstatistik (website by Josef Pospichal);

- www.de.wikipedia.org;

- LP, KT vol. 2, EZ vol. 1.