Deutsche Bundesbahn BR 38 Late Version

K.P.E.V. P8

In 1906, the ministry of railways ordered ten superheated 4-6-0 locomotives to be know as the P8.  They were ordered so that their performance could be compared to the older P7 compound locomotives which were housed at the depots of Koeln and Eberfield.  The P7's were four cylinder compounds which used saturated steam.

Robert Gabe the head of the railway depot at Berlin and, from 1907 and on, chief engineer of the newly created central rail railway administration, planned to demonstrate the superiority of superheated steam over saturated steam in the design of the P8.  Other advantages of the P8 were the ability to be turned on a 16 meter turntable and ease of maintenance.  The P8 locomotives were also designed for ease of inspection and low cost. 

Because of increasing train weights, the current passenger locomotives were unable to meet the required schedules.  Double-heading or using an additional pushing locomotive was not a viable option.  The P7 were obsolete, expensive to maintain and only 18 were available.  Clearly a new design was needed.

Success for Robert Gabe came with the P8.  The boiler was well designed although the weight of the locomotive was above the desired specifications so that the minimum velocity was 100 km/hr instead of 110 km/hr.  Originally the cab was pointed however later models had conventional cabs.

The good reputation of the P8 soon became well know throughout Germany and led to many orders from both German and foreign railways.  Up to 1928 about 3800 P8s were built - the Prussian railway alone ordered 3370 units.  More than 3000 P8s were assigned to the Reichsbahn (DRG).  After WWII  the Bundesbahn (DB) modified their p8s by replacing the original smoke deflectors with those of the Witte design.  Many of the locomotives received tub tenders.  As late at 1968, about 300 P8s were still in service, most of them on the DR in East Germany. 

Aster has modeled the BR38 in three versions: Deutsche Reichsbahn (early); Deutsche Bundersbhan (late); and the K.P.E.V.  P8.

• Scale/Gauge: 1/32, No. 1 Gauge (45 mm)
• Total Weight: 5.6 kg (12 lbs 5 oz.)
• Dimensions
  • Length 588 mm (23 inches)
  • Width: 98 mm (3.8 inches)
  • Height: 142 mm (6 inches)
• Wheel Arrangement: 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler
• Driving Wheels: 54 mm diameter. Eccentric cam for axle pump mounted.
• Minimum Radius: 2 meters
• Engine Cylinders: 2 Cylinders with slide valves. Valve travel 6mm, 75% cut-off.
• Valve Gear: Walschaerts
• Boiler Type: Smoke tube boiler
• Water Capacity: 240cc at 70% full
• Pressure: 3-4 kg/cm2 at normal working pressure
• Fittings:
  • Safety valve, pressure gauge, water glass gauge, throttle valve, blower valve
• Lubricator: Roscoe displacement type
• Fuel: Methylated alcohol
• Water Feed Systems: hand operated pump, axle driven pump optional (cam pre-installed on driver).
• Fuel Capacity: 170 cc