MÁV Class 424

MÁV class 424

Type and origin Power type Steam Build date 1924–1958 Total produced 514

Specifications Configuration 4-8-0 UIC class 2′D h Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in) standard gauge Driver diameter 1,606 mm (63.23 in) Length 20.79 m (68 ft 3 in) Loco weight 83.2 tonnes (81.9 long tons; 91.7 short tons) Loco & tender weight 137.7 tonnes (135.5 long tons; 151.8 short tons) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 4.45 m^2 (47.9 sq ft) Boiler pressure 13 kg/cm^2 (1.27 MPa; 185 psi) Heating surface 162.6 m^2 (1,750 sq ft) Superheater:  • Heating area 68 m^2 (730 sq ft) Cylinder size 600 mm × 660 mm (23.62 in × 25.98 in)

The MÁV class 424 is a famous class of Hungarian steam locomotives. The class appears in numerous nostalgic remembrances, in literature, in the movies and as models. The 424 class is a double-chimneyed, superheated machine. Its nicknames were "Buffalo" and "Nurmi" (after Paavo Nurmi, a famous Finnish runner well known in Hungary).

Locomotives of the same design operated in Yugoslavia as JŽ class 11.^[1]

Description

MÁVAG began to manufacture the Class 424 in 1924, with 2′D axle layout (4-8-0 in Whyte notation). It made its first test run between Budapest and Vác on 22 April 1924. The planning was led by Béla Kertész (1882–1970) locomotive constructor.

The 424 was a universal main line locomotive. It was used to haul heavy freight trains, stopping trains and express trains. The 424 locomotives are well known abroad as well.

Until 1958, 514 machines were produced, of which 149 were foreign orders. They remained in service until 1984, when steam engines were withdrawn in Hungary.

The 424s were coal burners by design. In the early 1960s some engines were converted to burn oil, but their performance did not increase enough to compete with the diesel equipment of that time, like NOHAB DSB engines and Soviet-made M62s.

Preservation

Operational

Nowadays three working examples survived and used for historical and excursion trains. The surviving engines are 424,009; 424,247 and 424,287.

Plinthed exhibits

A few engines are exhibited on static display.

• 424,001 was accommodated at the Zagreb Railway Station, lately moved to Budapest and displayed in front of the Museum of Transportation.
• 424,124 is exhibited on the main station of Dombóvár (in the county of Tolna, found in central Hungary). The vehicle shows the times of the socialist era, with the red star in the front of the water tank.
• MÁV 424,320 is plinthed at Szolnok station.^[2]

References

1. Sources:
   • Serija JŽ 11(ranije MÁV 424)Z work =www.stacion.hr (in Croatian)
   • "JŽ lokomotiva serije 11", www.miniaturna-zeleznica.com (in Slovenian)
2. "Szolnok - Magyarország vasútállomásai és vasúti megállóhelyei" (in Hungarian). Retrieved 26 September 2012.

Sources

• dr. Csiba, József. A 424-es (in Hungarian). Budapest: Közdok.
• "A 424". Indóház (in Hungarian) (Budapest) (424 Special II.).
• "Briefmarken mit Damfplokomotiven der Reihe 424 (MÁV)".