Tender Locomotive BR 65.10 DR

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In 1951, the German Reichsbahn in the GDR began planning a long-term renewal of its aging locomotive fleet. To this end, a construction program was drawn up in 1952 that included seven different new types of steam locomotives. Four types from the program were actually realized. The class 65.10 tank locomotive was developed in the performance class of the former Prussian P 8 and T 18. Their design was based on the two experimental locomotives of the 25 series. Since these in turn were based on a design by the Borsig company, the first two locomotives were still given Borsig factory numbers. Parallel to the test runs of the two prototypes, series production was already underway at the Karl Marx locomotive factory in Babelsberg. This situation made it considerably more difficult to iron out design-related “teething problems,” which could only be gradually remedied during operation. By 1957, a total of 88 locomotives had been built and delivered to the Reichsbahn. They were used particularly frequently during rush hour with short stops between stations, as their excellent acceleration made them ideal for this purpose. The maximum speed was 90 km/h and the service weight was 113 t. All locomotives were initially equipped with a superheated steam regulator, which was gradually replaced by a wet steam regulator from mid-1964 onwards. From 1966 onwards, the angular mixed preheaters were also converted to the well-known DR design and the draft systems were improved to Giesel ejectors with their distinctive flat chimneys. There were hardly any changes to the fleet until 1975. However, between 1976 and 1979, the series was largely taken out of service. Only the three locomotives used for heating purposes, 65 1008, 1049, and 1057, survived, of which 65 1057 is currently undergoing refurbishment to make it operational again.