Dazu ein neues Paar Ohren, die dicken Haltebretter sind immer wieder fürchterlich.
Sieht interessant aus, war das nur für ein Werksfoto oder ging die Lok so in den Einsatz?
Poldij
Sorry for english, but it allows me more precisely explain the matter:
One of the most precious qualities of Kriegslok, and perhaps BR50, was ability to cruise 80km/hrs backwards. It isn't trivial problem to solve, as dynamics of backward run is different, and most locomotives have limited speed. By ČSD it was on 387.0, 475.1, 498.0, etc.. Simply said, dynamics of pushed tender differs from dynamics of pulled one.
Solution of this puzzle was found on construction of 52, as the connection between tender and locomotive is pre-loaded with strong spring. I'm not sure, perhaps I have read something about 50-80 kN. This changed the dynamics of run, making tender almost integral part of locomotive, though relatively flexible, like it would had been locomotive of 4'E1'.
52's construction was inspiration for constructors of 556.0, including tender-locomotive connection. But judgement whether it was pic from pure proof-of-concept tests, or just ordinary warm tests of locomotive isn't easy. Maybe they tested both in one time, otherwise she would had been painted in black finish.
During early 556.0 production was such shortage of tenders, that brand new locomotives stood years awaiting tenders. For sure can be said it was in Škoda factory, not in Bw., never saw such combo from ČSD service pics, and seriously doubt it ever existed, as the most precious quality, coal stocker feed was necessary because higher position of feeding doors, moreover, without pneumatic step set.
