Locomotive U-127 : Background and history Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Locomotive U-127

Locomotive U-127 4-6-0

Type and origin
Power type	Steam
Builder	Putilov factory / Kirov Plant
Order number	1960
Build date	1910

Specifications
Configuration:
• Whyte	4-6-0
Gauge	1,524 mm (5 ft)
Driver dia.	1.73 metres (5 ft 8 in)
Axle load	15.2 tonnes (15.0 long tons; 16.8 short tons)
Adhesive weight	45.4 tonnes (44.7 long tons; 50.0 short tons)
Loco weight	72.1 tonnes (71.0 long tons; 79.5 short tons)
Fuel type	Oil
Firebox:
• Grate area	272 m² (2,930 sq ft)
Boiler pressure	14kg/cm2
Heating surface	182 m² (1,960 sq ft)
Cylinder size	370mm / 580mm

Performance figures
Maximum speed	115 km/h (71 mph)

Career
Numbers	127
Current owner	Museum of the Moscow Railway
Disposition	static display

Russian steam locomotive U-127 is a 4-6-0 locomotive of type Russian locomotive class U, preserved at the Museum of the Moscow Railway next to Paveletsky Rail Terminal in Moscow. The locomotive was the first Russian steam locomotive preserved.

Background and history

The Russian locomotive class U was a four-cylinder de Glehn compound locomotive, which first appeared in 1906. 62 class Us were built between 1906 and 1916 at the Putilov factory (later the Kirov Plant. By the beginning of 1940 the inventory still listed 47 class U locomotives.^[1] The last locomotives were withdrawn in 1952.^[1] U-127 is famous for being Vladimir Lenin's locomotive, hence its preservation. It was used to bring his body back to Moscow for his funeral. For this reason it has escaped the ravages of time and, much like Lenin himself, it was preserved in perfect condition. It has not moved since 1948.^[2]

U-127 was the Soviet Union's first and, until the 1980s, only preserved Russian locomotive. The only other preserved locomotive was Hk1 293 at Finland Station in Leningrad/St. Petersburg, which brought Lenin back from exile.^[2] However, Hk1 293 was built by Richmond Locomotive Works in the USA for the Finnish State Railways, and thus technically not a Russian locomotive.^[2] U-127 was built in 1910 with builder's number 1960, and was destined for the Tashkent railway.^[1]

Gallery

Locomotive U-127 and funeral train exhibit at the Museum of the Moscow Railway

U-127 in 1923 after repair
Cab
Inscription plaque
Tender with inscription
Builder's plate, steam dome and whistle
Van 1691

References

^ ^a ^b ^c V. А. Rakov (1995). Locomotives of Domestic Railways 1845-1955 (2nd, revised and enlarged ed.). Transport. ISBN 5-277-00821-7.
^ ^a ^b ^c A.J. Heywood and I.D.C. Button. Soviet Locomotive Types: the Union Legacy.