SEK Class Λβ

SEK Class Λβ (WD Austerity 2-10-0)
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Designer Riddles
Builder North British Locomotive Company
Build date 1943-1944
Total produced 16
Specifications
Configuration:
 ​
 • Whyte 2-10-0
 • UIC 1′E h
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver dia. 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Loco weight 78 long tons 6 cwt (175,400 lb or 79.6 t)
Fuel type Coal
Boiler pressure 225 lbf/in2 (1.55 MPa)
Cylinders Two
Cylinder size 19 in × 28 in (483 mm × 711 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort 34,215 lbf (152.20 kN)

SEK (Sidirodromoi Ellinikou Kratous, Hellenic State Railways) Class Λβ (or Class Lb; Lambda-beta) is a class of 16 2-10-0 steam locomotives, ex-WD Austerity 2-10-0s purchased after the Second World War. All of them were previously stabled in Egypt and were transported to Greece, as part of the UNRRA mission in Greece (arrived at Thessaloniki port in 16 January 1946). They were given the class letters "Λβ" and numbers 951-966.

They were mainly allocated to the Salonika division, but hauled both freight and passenger trains (including Athens to Istanbul Expresses) all across Greece, until they were slowly replaced by diesel locomotives until the mid-1970s, being one of the last classes of steam locomotives of SEK to be withdrawn from regular service.

Preservation

A total of eight Greek Austerity 2-10-0s have survived the 1984-1985 steam locomotive scrappings, two of which were repatriated to Great Britain. Two continued to work tourist specials out of Drama until the mid-00s whilst the remaining four were left in open storage. Two are thought to have been scrapped in recent times, leaving just four survivors in Greece.

Numbers Name Location
WD SEK BR
(7)3652 Λβ951 90775* The Royal Norfolk Regiment* Operational, North Norfolk Railway, Norfolk, England
(7)3656 Λβ955 — — Dumped, Thessaloniki, Greece.[1]
(7)3672 Λβ960 — Dame Vera Lynn* Awaiting overhaul at Grosmont North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Yorkshire, England
(7)3674 Λβ961 — — Dumped at an unknown location in Greece.[2]. Assumed to be scrapped now.
(7)3677 Λβ962 — — Stored Drama. Was operational on the Drama to Xanthi line in Greece.[3]
(7)3682 Λβ964 — — Stored in Thessaloniki depot. Was operational on the Drama to Xanthi line in Greece.[4]
(7)3684 Λβ966 — — Was Dumped, Thessaloniki, Greece.[5]. Assumed to be scrapped now.
(7)3659 Λβ958 — — Stored derelict at Tithorea, Greece.[6]

* Name or number applied after preservation

References

  1. ↑ http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=20132
  2. ↑ http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=20133
  3. ↑ http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=20134
  4. ↑ http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=20135
  5. ↑ http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=20136
  6. ↑ http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=27204


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