Bavarian P 3/5 H

After the foundation of the Deutsche Reichsbahn the Bavarian Group Administration tasked the firm of Maffei with the construction of 80 locomotives of the Bavarian Class P 3/5 H. These machines were based on the Class P 3/5 N, but had a superheated steam boiler. Positive experience with these vehicles built in 1921 – they were even used on express train duties – led in 1924 to the rebuild of all available Class P 3/5 N engines into superheated steam locomotives.

Bavarian P 3/5 H DRG Class 38.4
Number(s)	Bay.Sts.E.: 3837–3916 DRG 38 401 – 38 480
Quantity	80
Manufacturer	Maffei
Year(s) of manufacture	1921
Retired	1955
Wheel arrangement	4-6-0
Axle arrangement	2′C h4v
Type	P35.15
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in)
Length over buffers	19,439 mm (63 ft 9 ^1⁄4 in)
Empty weight	65.7 t (64.7 long tons; 72.4 short tons)
Service weight	72.1 t (71.0 long tons; 79.5 short tons)
Adhesive weight	47.1 t (46.4 long tons; 51.9 short tons)
Axle load	15.7 t (15.5 long tons; 17.3 short tons)
Top speed	90 or 50 km/h (56 or 31 mph)
Indicated Power	1,200 PS (883 kW; 1,180 hp)
Driving wheel diameter	1,640 mm (5 ft 4 ^5⁄8 in)
Leading wheel diameter	850 mm (2 ft 9 ^1⁄2 in)
No. of cylinders	4, compound
LP cylinder bore	590 mm (23 ^1⁄4 in)
HP cylinder bore	360 mm (14 ^3⁄16 in)
Piston stroke	640 mm (25 ^3⁄16 in)
Boiler Overpressure	15 kgf/cm^2 (1.47 MPa; 213 lbf/in^2)
Grate area	2.77 m^2 (29.8 sq ft)
Superheater area	34.92 m^2 (375.9 sq ft)
Evaporative heating area	142.70 m^2 (1,536.0 sq ft)
Tender	Bavarian 2′2′ T 21.8
Water capacity	21.8 m^3 (4,800 imp gal; 5,800 US gal)
Fuel	8,000 kg (18,000 lb)

In 1925 the P 3/5 H were allocated the numbers 38 401 to 38 480 as part of the DRG Class 38.4.

All 80 locomotives survived the Second World War and entered service with the Deutsche Bundesbahn. The last engine of this class, number 38 432, ran in Bavaria and Upper Swabia and was taken out of service in 1955.

The vehicles were coupled with a Bavarian 2′2′ T 21,8 tender.

See also

• Royal Bavarian State Railways
• List of Bavarian locomotives and railbuses