Tw1 (BR 57)

A plastic model of the Polish Tw1 armored locomotive (former German BR 57 locomotive) was made in 1:35 scale. The work was presented at the 11th International Festival of Plastic Reduction Models Bytom 2014.

The steam locomotive project was emerged because of the Prussian railways needed a locomotive for operation mainly in mountain areas. Production of the steam locomotive, designated G10, started in 1910 and lasted until 1928. They were built 3,462 G10 locomotives. Production took place in many German factories. On the German railroad, the locomotive was designated 57, and in Poland, Tw1. The armored locomotive the model of which is presented in the photos was created on the basis of such a rail vehicle.

This type of locomotive was used, among others, in the armored train, which was formed at the end of 1945. This train was directed to the railway lines near Sanok, Poland, where it fought several skirmishes with the UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army).

Some technical data of the Tw1 locomotive without armor:

• Mass of an empty locomotive: 69.5 t (UK-68⅖ tons, USA-76⅗ tons),
• Locomotive service weight: 76.6 t (UK-75⅖ tons, USA-84⅖ tons),
• Mass of empty tender: 22 t (UK-21⅗ tons, USA-24⅕ tons),
• Tender service weight: 45.5 t (UK-44⅘ tons, USA-50⅕ tons),
• Tender load capacity: 7 t (6⅘ tons) of coal i 16.5 m³ (582.7 ft³) of water,
• Cylinder diameter: 630 mm (24⅘ in),
• Power: 970 hp,
• Diameter of the driving wheels: 1,400 mm (55 in),
• Max speed: 60 km/h (37.3 mph),
• Total length of the set (steam locomotive plus tender): 18.91 m (62 ft).

The armor thickness was between 20-50 mm (0.79-1.97 in).

Sources:

• http://parowozy.net/parowozy/tw1
• http://pibwl.republika.pl/sok-pl.htm
• https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tw1

23 Apr 2014