Locomotive U-127

Russian steam locomotive U-127 is a 4-6-0 locomotive of type Russian locomotive class U, preserved at the Museum of the Moscow Railway next to Paveletsky Rail Terminal in Moscow. The locomotive was the first Russian steam locomotive preserved.

Locomotive U-127
Locomotive U-127 4-6-0
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Putilov factory / Kirov Plant Order number 1960 Build date 1910 Total produced 62
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-0 Gauge 1,524 mm (5 ft) Driver dia. 1.73 metres (5 ft 8 in) Axle load 15.2 tonnes (15.0 long tons; 16.8 short tons) Adhesive weight 45.4 tonnes (44.7 long tons; 50.0 short tons) Loco weight 72.1 tonnes (71.0 long tons; 79.5 short tons) Fuel type Oil Firebox:  • Firegrate area 272 m^2 (2,930 sq ft) Boiler pressure 14kg/cm2 Heating surface 182 m^2 (1,960 sq ft) Cylinder size 370mm / 580mm
Performance figures Maximum speed 115 km/h (71 mph)
Career Numbers 127 Current owner Museum of the Moscow Railway Disposition static display

Background and history

The Russian locomotive class U was a four-cylinder de Glehn compound locomotive, which first appeared in 1906. 62 class Us were built between 1906 and 1916 at the Putilov factory (later the Kirov Plant. By the beginning of 1940 the inventory still listed 47 class U locomotives.[1] The last locomotives were withdrawn in 1952.[1] U-127 is famous for being Vladimir Lenin's locomotive, hence its preservation. It was used to bring his body back to Moscow for his funeral. For this reason it has escaped the ravages of time and, much like Lenin himself, it was preserved in perfect condition. It has not moved since 1948.[2]

U-127 was the Soviet Union's first and, until the 1980s, only preserved Russian locomotive. The only other preserved locomotive was Hk1 293 at Finland Station in Leningrad/St. Petersburg, which brought Lenin back from exile.[2] However, Hk1 293 was built by Richmond Locomotive Works in the USA for the Finnish State Railways, and thus technically not a Russian locomotive.[2] U-127 was built in 1910 with builder's number 1960, and was destined for the Tashkent railway.[1]

Gallery

Locomotive U-127 and funeral train exhibit at the Museum of the Moscow Railway

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  U-127 in 1923 after repair
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  Cab
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  Inscription plaque
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  Tender with inscription
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  Builder's plate, steam dome and whistle
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  Van 1691

See also

• Restored trains
• Finland Station, St.Petersburg: arrival point of Lenin from exile

References

1. V. А. Rakov (1995). Locomotives of Domestic Railways 1845-1955 (2nd, revised and enlarged ed.). Transport. ISBN 5-277-00821-7.
2. A.J. Heywood and I.D.C. Button. Soviet Locomotive Types: the Union Legacy.

External links

• Lenin's Funeral Train Photographs