Henschel No. 14019 Brigadelokomotiv DFB 526
Technical Details:
| Builder: Henschel & Sohn, Cassel | Cylinders: 9 1/2 inch x 9 1/2 inch |
| No. (Fabriknummer): 14019 | Weight: 12 tons |
| Year: 1916 | Livery: Black, lined red |
| Wheel diameter: 2 feet 0 inches | Wheel base: 7 feet 5 inches |
| Tank capacity: 242 gallons | Bunker capacity: 6 cwt |
| Boiler pressure: 215 lb per square inch | Tractive effort at 85% B.P.: 6000 lbs |
| Length over buffer beams: 16 feet 10 inches | Width: 5 feet 10 1/2 inches |
| Height to chimney: 8 feet 2 inches |
The “Feldbahn” design refers to a standard German Army Field Railway (Deutscher Feldbahn, DFB) loco originally introduced in 1907. No less than 2473 Field Railway (Feldbahn) locomotives were built by fourteen different manufacturers up to the end of the First World War. The most well-known manufacturers are Henschel & Sohn of Cassel, and Orenstein & Koppell. DFB 526 is a standard 0-8-0T built in 1916 by Henschel. The remarkable aspect of these locos is the flexible 0-8-0 wheelbase, whereby the leading and trailing axles are arranged with exaggerated sideplay and an ability to “steer” round sharp curves. After the War many almost new locomotives were sold to industrial users in a variety of countries. A significant shipment of fifteen was sent out to the Sena Sugar Estate (Zuckerplantage) at Luabo on the banks of the Zambezi in Mozambique.
Our loco, Sena Sugar Estate No. 3 worked at the Luabo Mill up till at least 1981 on the very extensive system there [Reference: Brigadelokomotiven der Deutschen Heeresfeldbahnen im Ersten Weltkrieg, Verlag Railroadiana, Swisttal-Buschoven, 1994, Nummer 526, Henschel Fabriknummer 14019, Luabo “3”]. In 1998 she was imported along with about twenty other locos and notionally put up for sale. A small consortium of members was fortunate enough to purchase the very complete No. 3 and she was moved to Amerton on 21st December 1999.
Since this time we have pretty much dismantled the loco into its component parts and restoration is underway as time and funds permit. We are also fortunate to have both the original Henschel works plates and the works photo of her in 1916 outside the factory in Cassel.