TracesOfWar.com

American Loc 4389 locomotive

(Netherlands, the - Zeeland - Goes)

This locomotive has been built in accordance with the American war construction design: simple to construct and easy to maintain. The result is a combination of welded and riveted, a staved frame, Crampton fire box with a grill surface of 1,78m² (approx 10 sq. feet), relatively large sized wheels (1.372 mm / approx. 54 “) and cylinders that consist out of two assembled castings and which at the same time are supporting the smoke-box. The accessories on top of the boiler provide the engine with a typical American profile.

During the Second World War engines of this type were used for transports supporting the American invasion army. In 1947 this engine has been acquired from the army surplus stores by the Oranje Nassau (coal) mine (Dutch State Mines) to be used for shunting operations.

Since 1980 the engine is being exploited by SGB (Steam engine Goes Borssele) and it is the only copy available in the Benelux. The craft is unique because of its history, its background and applied technology. At the moment the engine is out of service caused by a worn out boiler and worn wheel rims.
Meanwhile, there is now started in 2011 with the restauration of the locomotive.
Loc 4389 is marked by the boiler number 5098, year of construction 1943 by ‘Murray Iron’.

Source

• Text: Stoomtrein Goes-Borsele & Mia van den Berg
• Photos: Stoomtrein Goes-Borsele & Mia van den Berg