Hibernia 41-E
| Industry | Coal mining |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1942 |
| Headquarters | Recklinghausen , Germany |
| Products | Coal mining, steam locomotives operation |
Hibernia 41-E and 42-E were steam-powered locomotives operated by Hibernia AG. While locomotive number 42-E was dismantled, number 41-E remains extant and was at one point exhibited outside the Starlight Express Theatre in Bochum.
History
In the midst of World War II, specifically in 1942, the coal mining firm Hibernia AG acquired two five-coupled and one four-coupled steam locomotives from Henschel & Son located in Kassel for deployment within their mining operations. These engines served above ground on the railway network formerly known as Bergwerks-AG Recklinghausen, which later became Bergbau AG Herne/Recklinghausen, operating until 1970 and 1971 respectively. The locomotive designated as Hibernia 41-E was ultimately assigned to the coal mine at Bergwerk General Blumenthal in Recklinghausen before being transferred to the Bochum Dahlhausen Railway Museum.
During the debut of the musical Starlight Express in Bochum in 1988, this locomotive was briefly showcased as a visual attraction in front of the newly established theatre before being returned to museum custody. For the milestone of the production’s 5000th performance, the locomotive was loaned once more to the Starlight Express Theatre, where it remained alongside an antique coach for a three-year period. Despite this arrangement, the locomotive has remained on site and has not been moved back to the museum since.
Technology
This locomotive is a standard gauge, superheated steam tank locomotive featuring five coupled axles. It closely resembles the Henschel-Type E800, albeit with several distinct differences, which has led to it being designated as the Henschel-Type Bochum. During the Second World War, copper was unavailable for constructing the firebox, resulting in the use of steel as an alternative material. In 1956, Henschel upgraded the locomotive by fitting roller bearings and a mixing pre-heater. Additionally, the original steam-powered brake system was replaced with a compressed air-operated pneumatic brake.
References
- Joachim Leitsch. "Nur ein Glasplattennegativ XXIII (Kriegslok)". drehscheibe-online.de (in German). Retrieved 2013-09-29.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - "Fahrzeuge: 41 E" (in German). DGEG - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Eisenbahngeschichte. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - Vogelsang, Harald (2002). Die Fahrzeuge und Anlagen des Eisenbahnmuseums Bochum-Dahlhausen (Museumsführer) (in Deutsch). Bochum: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Eisenbahngeschichte e.V. p. 30. ISBN 3-921700-99-X.