fricek
Type: Vehicle
Description:
ČSD 386.001: The first and last aerodynamic steam locomotive of the Czechoslovak State Railways, manufactured in Škoda Plzeň in 1926, with a maximum speed of 110 km/h and a power output of 1600 horsepower. The aerodynamic cladding from 1938 did not bring the expected savings, and the locomotive was scrapped in 1948.
The ČSD 386.001 locomotive was developed and manufactured at the Škoda works in Plzeň as part of an effort to create a reliable and powerful machine for long-distance express service. The first prototype was completed in 1926 under the supervision of Ing. Oscar Dolch. This locomotive underwent several key modifications, one of which was reducing the size of the boiler and adding four heating tubes to increase the direct heating surface.
Despite technical innovations, the ČSD 386.001 locomotive had issues with its weight on one coupled axle, which reached 16.9 tons. This problem led to its renumbering as the 387.0 series. In 1938, the locomotive was equipped with aerodynamic cladding, a popular solution at the time aimed at reducing coal consumption and improving operational performance. The locomotive received a green coat of paint with orange and red stripes converging into a point at the front.
- 0: Manufacturer: Škoda Plzeň
- 1: Year of manufacture: 1926
- 2: Design: Ing. Oscar Dolch
- 3: Boiler weight: 24,405 kg
- 4: Locomotive weight: 90 tons
- 5: Color: Green paint with orange and red stripes
After World War II, the locomotive was returned to regular service, but its practical value was still considered problematic. In 1948, the locomotive was finally decommissioned and a year later dismantled in the workshops in Plzeň. The ČSD 386.001 locomotive remained the only aerodynamic cladding experiment by the Czechoslovak State Railways and is still considered a significant, albeit not entirely successful, attempt at technical progress.
created_at_label: 23. 2. 2025