The meter-gauge Consolidation 2-8-0 Es of SPAP
- 7 years ago
We have previously referred to the “Consolidation” class steam locomotives with wheel arrangement 2-8-0 or 1'D in Greece, in our video about the normal gauge Thg (Θγ) class of SEK. The present offering is about the meter-gauge Consolidations of SPAP namely the Es-class steam engines.
SPAP acquired their first 2-8-0s in 1912 from the Borsig AG industry of Germany. They were two engines with two-axle tender numbered as Es.701-702. Later, in 1915 they ordered 8 same more to this industry, but due to the war restraint only 4 were ever received, the numbered as Es.710-113.
In 1925 5 engines were purchased from the Linke-Hofmann Werke firm of the same Consolidation type but with three-axle tenders. They were numbered Es.721-725. Finally as part of the innovation effort in 1935, SPAP decided the purchase of 3 more engines of the same type, this time from the also German firm of Henschel & Sn. They were delivered in 1937 and numbered as Es.726-728.
The "Es"s served successfully in pulling heavy freight and passenger trains as well, especially in the central mountainous section of the network, the Myloi – Tripolis – Kalamata line. Many survived the war and continued hauling trains until the end of the steam era, though since 1947 they were gradually substituted by the newer Mikado 2-8-2 locomotives of the Δα-Δι class.
After the amalgamation of SPAP with SEK in 1962, the Es class locomotives were renumbered - as all other meter-gauge steam locomotives - by an extra number “7” in front of their 3-digit numbering thus becoming 4-digit.
Today, the Linke-Hofmann Es.7721 is the only one preserved in somewhat good (though not operational) condition, in the Patra Shed. The Borsig Es.7712 still exist in bad condition in Megara. The Linke-Hofmann Es.7725 with the Henschel Es.7728 are in the Myloi Shed left in bad shape, despite the indication “For the Museum” marked on both of them.
SPAP acquired their first 2-8-0s in 1912 from the Borsig AG industry of Germany. They were two engines with two-axle tender numbered as Es.701-702. Later, in 1915 they ordered 8 same more to this industry, but due to the war restraint only 4 were ever received, the numbered as Es.710-113.
In 1925 5 engines were purchased from the Linke-Hofmann Werke firm of the same Consolidation type but with three-axle tenders. They were numbered Es.721-725. Finally as part of the innovation effort in 1935, SPAP decided the purchase of 3 more engines of the same type, this time from the also German firm of Henschel & Sn. They were delivered in 1937 and numbered as Es.726-728.
The "Es"s served successfully in pulling heavy freight and passenger trains as well, especially in the central mountainous section of the network, the Myloi – Tripolis – Kalamata line. Many survived the war and continued hauling trains until the end of the steam era, though since 1947 they were gradually substituted by the newer Mikado 2-8-2 locomotives of the Δα-Δι class.
After the amalgamation of SPAP with SEK in 1962, the Es class locomotives were renumbered - as all other meter-gauge steam locomotives - by an extra number “7” in front of their 3-digit numbering thus becoming 4-digit.
Today, the Linke-Hofmann Es.7721 is the only one preserved in somewhat good (though not operational) condition, in the Patra Shed. The Borsig Es.7712 still exist in bad condition in Megara. The Linke-Hofmann Es.7725 with the Henschel Es.7728 are in the Myloi Shed left in bad shape, despite the indication “For the Museum” marked on both of them.