Class 56.7 (1'E h3 / 2-10-0) Steam Locomotives

The Class 56.7 is the German BR44ük steam locomotive built by French manufacturers during World War II. These are three-cylinder machines.

Information from: DEMIRYOLU


French manufacturers built almost 700 BR44ük's for the Germans during World War II. The BR44ük is the transitional war-time design of the BR44. The design was simplified but provisions were made to allow the engines to be restored to their original type after the war. In the BR44ük, the smoke deflectors, front cab windows, running board front end, and smoke box door central locks are removed. The German specifications were scrupulously followed but owing to war restrictions, some parts have been replaced by their French equivalent (buffer stock, compressor, injectors, etc.). Consequently, one engine may be slightly different from the next.

226 BR44ük engines were still under construction in 1944 when they were taken over by the French National Railways (SNCF) and incorporated as SNCF class 150X into SNCF rosters. They were very successfully used for the heavy haul of coal and iron ore in northern France. Most of the 150X were coupled to 2'2'T34 tenders (SNCF class 34X).


In 1954, SNCF sold 48 engines to TCDD. These machines were made redundant by the 25KV 50Hz Valenciennes-Thionville electrification. Barely 10 years old, these 150X locomotives were in perfect condition. The 48 engines were picked for their original Knorr compressors and Knorr feed water heaters already familiar to shop crews in Turkey. All the engines were overhauled by SNCF just before delivery and shipment by land occurred between 30 April and 25 July 1955. TCDD fitted them with a snowplow and a third light on the smoke box door. Later on, TCDD did other modifications to the engines such as the restoration of the smoke box door central lock or the fitting of safety valves on the cylinders.

TCDD kept the 56700's in service until the late 70's. They were used on all kinds of duties from long haul passenger to local freight to banking on heavy mountain grades. Alongside the 5700 tank engines, almost a dozen were based at Bilecik to help busy eastbound traffic tackle the 12km 2.5 percent grade up to Karakoy.