Soviet locomotive class L

Soviet locomotive class L
Locomotive L-3653 near Moscow
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer L.S. Lebedyanskiy Builder Kolomna Locomotive Works Build date 1945—1955 Total produced 4,199
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-10-0 Driver dia. 1,500 mm (59.06 in) Height 4,873 mm (15.99 ft) Axle load 18 t (18 long tons; 20 short tons) Fuel type Coal Firebox: ​  • Grate area 6 m2 (65 sq ft) Boiler pressure 14 kgf/cm2 (1.37 MPa; 199 psi) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 113 m2 (1,220 sq ft) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 650 mm × 800 mm (25.59 in × 31.50 in) bore x stroke Valve gear Walschaerts
Performance figures Maximum speed 85 km/h (53 mph) Tractive effort 271.5 kN (61,040 lbf)
Career Nicknames Swan Locale Soviet Union First run 1945 Retired 1975-1995 Scrapped 1975-1991 (600),1992-1995 Disposition Most Scrapped

The Soviet locomotive class L (Russian: Л) was a Soviet main freight steam locomotive type. They were nicknamed Lebed, "Swan."

Description

The L class 2-10-0 was the first Soviet locomotive to use Boxpok-type wheels, which were commonplace in steam locomotive design post-World War II. A casing between the dome and chimney covered a steam drier pipe.

History

It was designed and built by the Kolomna Locomotive Works shortly after World War II under supervision by L.C. Lebedyanski. It was originally designated Class P (for Pobeda, "victory"), but was redesignated Class L in honor of its designer.

In conjunction with the FD class 2-10-2, it was primarily used to haul mainline goods across the terrain of the Soviet Union. Over 4,000 L class locomotives were constructed from 1945-1955, and they operated with the Soviet Railways until 1975.

Today there are over 300 example of L class locomotives surviving in various states of repair in the former Soviet Union, constituting the single largest surviving class of locomotives in the world. Many are still in operating condition.

See also

• History of rail transport in Russia
• Russian Railway Museum, Saint Petersburg