robinb

Robin,

 

the "Obermayer" is the bible that contains all classes.

If you have a deeper interest in a class, the "Die Baureihe xx" series from EK-Verlag https://www.ekshop.de/buecher/baureihen-bibliothek/Dampflokomotiven/ is a great source of information. Many of them are available from their shop and there are a lot more that can be bought used at ebay or at second hand book sellers.

 

Are you aware of anything comparable for the LMS or the BR? My interest is just opposite yours :-)

 

Michael

Hi Michael

The LMS and BR locomotives are extensively written about and there are many books to choose from.

Arguably the godfathers of LMS research are the late David Jenkinson and Bob Essery.

A great start for you would be: LMS LOCOMOTIVES HISTORY Illustrated Steam Engines Vol.1 Essery Jenkinson Railway

This is quite easy to find on Ebay.

The outstanding British publisher Wild Swan do a number of books on particular classes and these are also highly recommended: http://titfield.co.uk/Wild-Swan/Locomotives.htm

As for BR classes Irwell Press (https://www.irwellpress.com/acatalog/Books.html) do some excellent class-specific books. As for a general overview I would recommend starting with the Wikipedia page...!

Hope those are useful!

Robin

The Taschenbuch is indeed a very useful little introduction to the various steam classes - rather in the style of the "Observer's" books in that it give an illustration, principal dimensions and a brief summary for each type covered.  Other volumes in the series by the same author (Obermeyer) covered diesel locomotives, electric locomotives, railcars and multiple units, narrow gauge, passenger carriages and goods wagons.  Similar works from other authors (with card covers rather than the plastic ones) covered German locomotive builders and steam locomotives of the local railways.  I'd say that all are worth trying to get hold of.

 

To return to the original question, I don't think there is a single volume - either in English or in German - that provides a comprehensive and detailed account of the development of the steam locomotive in Germany and how the various types fitted into the overall picture.  Here's a very broad picture - full of generalisations - that maybe gives some kind of idea of the scope.

 

As in most other countries, the German railway network began from point to point lines linking important towns that then grew and amalgamated into larger concerns - primarily organised by the various states that retained their separate identities until the formation of the Reichsbahn in the 1920s.  Within themselves, there was a degree of standardisation, and the German military expansion of WW1 was based upon the multiplication of many of the Prussian state standard classes.  Alongside these state railways were independent local railways (some of standard gauge, some of narrow gauge - some electrified from an early time) and connecting railways ("kreisbahnen").  Some of these were incorporated into the Reichsbahn, some staying independent for longer.  So the history of steam would need to consider the contributions made by all these various concerns.

 

After its formation, and between the wars, the Reichsbahn introduced the perhaps more familiar standard types.  They worked alongside locomotives inherited from the predecessor states.  Locomotive development also led to other prototype and experimental locomotives that were never put into large production.  It should also be remembered that the pre-war Reichsbahn also inherited electric locomotives, extended through further standard types, and was an early adopter of diesel locomotives too.

 

The second World War again saw a proliferation of standard steam classes, to be converted into the simplified war locomotives ("kriegslokomotiven") as the war progressed.  Occupation and control of the neighbouring countries saw their locomotives absorbed and numbered into the Reichsbahn system.

 

After the war, Germany was divided, most of the captured locomotives (that survived) were retained to their original territories (as well as some others in reparation - but nothing like the extent of the first World War) and the remaining locomotives split between the two Germanies' administrations.  New locomotive designs were formulated in both countries - different designs, but often with a kind of convergence between them.  On the Eastern side especially, there was a programme of rebuilding and updating the earlier standard designs and carrying out of experimental trials.

 

Unlike Britain, locomotive manufacturing was purely in the hands of private companies.  Although some had very close connections with the State companies (e.g. Krauss Maffei with the Bavarian State Railways), locomotive construction wasn't brought "in house".  The standard designs - both for the States and later, the Reichsbahn - could be built by several locomotive builders.

Hi Eddie

That's a very useful overview - thank you!

I have in fact (thanks to Ulrich!) now acquired both the recommended Obermayer "Deutsche Dampflokotiven" and also the "Schmalspur" edition. What utterly charming little works they are and a total bargain at just €9.95 each!

Certainly combined with your summary they are a great start - thanks chaps!

Robin

Pen and Sword recently published "The German Pacific Locomotive (Its Design and Development)" by David Maidments.  It well is written, has lots of photographs, and I enjoyed reading it.  It is £50 at the publisher and on Amazon's main site but Wordery (a part of Amazon) has it at £33 if you don't mind waiting a week for delivery.

 

If you are interested in the engineering side, then Eisenbahn Journal published electronically "Die Dampflokomotive" in four parts.  Very good illustration but you need a bit of technical German to read it.

 

Peterfgf 

Thanks Peter - will investigate!

The German Railway Society produces a few publications on specific types, like the Class 18 Pacifics. Their signalling booklets are informative too (and in English).

 

http://grs-uk.org/publications/

Thanks for the tip, Ian, much appreciated!

A comprehensive overview of steam locomotive classes is available in

 

"Taschenbuch Deutsche Dampflokomotiven" by Horst J. Obermayer, first release´d in 1979 with reprints still available.

 

https://www.amazon.de/Taschenbuch-Deutsche-Dampflokomotiven-Horst-Obermayer/dp/3868523863

 

How good is your German?

That's a great tip, Ulrich, danke!

Wie gut ist mein Deutsch? Well, I seem to be able to read pictures in any language ;-)

Hi chaps

Trying to educate myself on the complexities of German railways.

Is there a definitive book explaining the myriad classes of German steam?

Thanks in advance!

robinb