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| History of the United States Army Transportation Corps |
by Sith Sastrasinh, from New Jersey, U.S.A. The USATC came into being in July 1942. Its railway section was organized into Military Railway Service (MRS). The 1st MRS was in charge of railway operations in N. Africa and, later on, in Italy and Southern France. The 2nd MRS covered the remaining part of Europe that USATC was responsible for. Under MRS were Railway Grand Divisions (RGD), each RGD had four or five Railway Operating Battalions (ROB) and one Railway Shop Battalion (RSB). These units (RGD, ROB and RSB) were assigned numbers in 7xx series. Each division and battalion was sponsored by a railroad company. The military personnel were mostly recruited from the sponsoring railroad. The 757th RSB, stationed at Kassel (Henschel Works) after the war, was sponsored by Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific RR. This unit erected a number of class 52 Kriegslok after the war from left over parts. These BR 52 locomotives carried builder's plates indicating that they were built by the 757th RSB at Henschel Locomotive Works. After the War the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) was set up to provide emergency relief. This organization was involved in the transfers and sales of USATC locomotives to other national railways.
The following USATC locomotives were used in Europe:
1. Standard gauge 2-8-0 (USATC S160 design) Variants of S160 were S162 and S166 for Russia and S161 for Jamaica. This is a large class (2120 total), but compare this to Reichsbahn BR 52 that were built during the war (6239 total). Starting in 1942 these locomotives were shipped to N. Africa and England. Russia also received 200 of these locomotives during the war. Many that arrived in England were loaned to British Railway Companies, with 174 to GWR, 168 to LNER, 50 to LMS and only 6 to SR. These locomotives were returned to USATC after the D-Day and later shipped to the Continent. Most of the N. African engines were shipped to Italy with the invasion forces. After the war those locomotives that remained in Italy were taken over by the FS as class 736.001-243. Forty locomotives were operated by the DR (West) in 1947 from Bremen shed. All 40 were withdrawn by August 1947 and were sent to Hungary. Thirty engines went to Austria in 1946 as class 956. All were scrapped in 1955-56. Hungary received 510 engines. They were classified as MAV class 411.001-484. The other 26 engines were used for spare parts and never received running numbers. Czechoslovakia received 80 engines (CSD 456.101-80). Another 65 locomotives went to Yugoslavia as JDZ 37.001-65. Poland had 575 of these locomotives. The first 75 were received under the auspices of UNRRA (PKP Tr201.1-75). Another 500 was transferred directly from USATC stocks (PKP Tr203.1-500). These locomotives lasted on the PKP system until the 1980s. In mid 1950s the PKP reboilered three Ok22 with boilers from Tr203 and reclassified them as Ok55. One of the 2-8-0 chassis received a new boiler with side tanks and became TKr55. Hellenic State Railway (SEK) received 27 engines in 1947 (class THg). THg # 521-37 were coal burners; # 551-60 were oil burners. In 1959 the FS sold another 25 engines of this class to Hellenic State Railway. These locomotives received numbers 571-95. Turkey received 50 locomotives in 1947 (TCDD 45.171-220). Finally, in 1959 the Alaska Railroad sold five of these locomotives to F.C. Langreo in Spain. Very few (less than 20) of the S160 were lost during shipment from the U.S. and very few came back to the U.S. after the war.
2. Standard gauge 0-6-0T (U.S. Army Spec.# T1531) Most of these 382 locomotives were built for service in Europe. They began to arrive in England in July 1942. Some of them were used on military railways and depots as well as various collieries. They were shipped to France after the invasion. Later on many of them were used in and around Antwerp docks. After the war SNCF bought 77 of these locomotives and classified them as 030TU. The British Southern Railway bought 14 of them (No. 61-74). Most of these engines lasted well into the British Railways days. The last nine were withdrawn in 1967. Austria received 10 of these locomotives. They were renumbered in three batches, according to the builder (989.01-5, 989.101-3 and 989.201-2). Around 120 engines were received by the JDZ, although only 106 received the running numbers (66.001-106). The rest were probably used for spare parts. Twenty locomotives went to Greece in 1947. They became Hellenic State Railway class Da number 51-70. Five USATC 0-6-0T were sent to North Africa in 1943. These were shipped to Italy in 1944. FS obtained four of them (831.001-4). They were finally withdrawn in 1953.
3. Standard gauge 2-8-2 (U.S. Army class S200) The British Government actually ordered 200 locomotives of this design under Lend-Lease agreement in 1941. They were intended for services in the Middle East and Persia. During the war 29 engines were sent to Turkey. After the war another 24 were transferred to TCDD in 1946. These 53 engines received TCDD numbers 46.201-53. During the campaign in Italy 31 locomotives were shipped from the Middle East to British-controlled area in Italy. One was lost when it caught fire. The remaining 30 were tranferred, under the auspices of UNRRA, to FS in 1946. They received FS numbers 747.001-30.
4. Whitcomb 65 ton, 650 h.p. diesel electric locomotives (wheel arrangement Bo-Bo) The British Government originally ordered 110 of these central cab diesel locomotives, under Lend-lease agreement, for service in the Middle East. Forty nine of these were shipped to Italy and remained with the FS after the war as numbers 120.001-49. More locomotives of the same type were ordered by the U.S. Army. Some of these were sent to England before shipment to the Continent. Some were sent directly to France and Italy. After the war most of these USATC locomotives were shipped back to the U.S. Twenty of them were purchased by the NS. They received NS numbers 601-19, with one used to provide spare parts. These locomotives were soon rebuilt with new engines and electric motors. The Italians also rebuilt theirs with new engines.
5. GE 45 ton, 380 h.p. diesel electric locomotive (wheel arrangement Bo-Bo) This was also a central cab design. Most of them saw service in Europe. Some were shipped to England first; some were shipped directly to the Continent. Mainly they were used for switching, although occasionally they were used to haul freight and ambulance trains. After VE day most of them were crated and shipped back to the U.S.
6. GE 25 ton, 150 h.p. diesel electric locomotive (wheel arrangement Bo) Ten of these small locomotives were shipped to England between April and June 1944. Two of them were unloaded at the Utah Beach on July 10, 1944, the first Allied railway equipment landed in France. After the war all of them went back to the U.S. |
| Data of 2-8-0 (S-160 class) and 0-6-0T USATC locomotives |
by Nick Sbarounis, from Athens, Greece | 2-8-0 (S-160 class) steam locomotives |
Wheel arrangement: 2-8-0, Heating Surface(ft): 1765, Loco Weight in Working Order(t): 72, Loading Capacity of Water(gallons): 5400, Weight on Driving Wheels(t): 61, Loading Capacity of Fuel(t): 8, Tender Weight in Working Order(t): 52, Height of Boiler Center: 9'3', Max Axle Weight(t): 16, Length of Locomotive and Tender: 61', Diameter of Driving Wheel: 57', Height: 12'10', Cylinder Dimensions: 19'X 26', Length of Locomotive: 37'1', Boiler Pressure(lb/in): 225, Length of Tender: 23'11', Grate Area (ft): 41 sq. |
| 0-6-0 Tank steam locomotives |
Wheel arrangement: 0-6-0T, Heating Surface(ft): 876, Loco Weight in Working Order(lbs): 100650, Loading Capacity of Water(gallons): 1200, Loading Capacity of Fuel(gallons): 300, Height of Boiler Center: 9', Max Axle Weight(lbs): 33550, Height: 14'10', Cylinder Dimensions: 16' X 26', Length of Locomotive: 29'6', Boiler Pressure(lb/in): 210, Grate Area (ft): 19.4 sq. |
| The USATC Steam Locomotives in Greece. Ατμαμαξες του USATC στην Ελλαδα |
by Alexandros Gregoriou from Thessaloniki, Greece
| Serial Numbers: SEK #Da 51 - 70 (Delta - Alfa), 0-6-0 Tank / Σειρα Δα 51 - 70 |
01. SEK # Δα 51 ex-USATC #1303
02. SEK # Δα 52 ex-USATC #1399
03. SEK # Δα 53 Porter/1943/7259, ex-USATC #1415
04. SEK # Δα 54 ex-USATC #1970
05. SEK # Δα 55 Vulcan/1943/4472, ex-USATC #1999
06. SEK # Δα 56 ex-USATC #4385
07. SEK # Δα 57 Davenport/1943/2549, ex-USATC #4400
08. SEK # Δα 58 ex-USATC #4401
09. SEK # Δα 59 Davenport/1944/2602, ex-USATC #6013
10. SEK # Δα 60 Vulcan/1944/4542, ex-USATC #6172
11. SEK # Δα 61 Davenport/1943/2481, ex-USATC #1310
12. SEK # Δα 62 ex-USATC #1405
13. SEK # Δα 63 Davenport/1944/2597, ex-USATC #6008
14. SEK # Δα 64 ex-USATC #1436
15. SEK # Δα 65 Vulcan/1943/4460, ex-USATC #1987
16. SEK # Δα 66 ex-USATC #4384
17. SEK # Δα 67 ex-USATC #4386
18. SEK # Δα 68 ex-USATC #4320
19. SEK # Δα 69 ex-USATC #4328
20. SEK # Δα 70 ex-USATC #4329 |
| Serial Numbers: SEK #THg 521 - 537 (Theta - Gama), S-160 class / Σειρα Θγ 521 - 537 |
01. SEK # Θγ 521 ALCo/1943/70532, ex-USATC #2050
02. SEK # Θγ 522 ALCo/1943/70594, ex-USATC #2112
03. SEK # Θγ 523 ALCo/1943/70609, ex-USATC #2127
04. SEK # Θγ 524 Lima/1943/8160, ex-USATC #2154
05. SEK # Θγ 525 Lima/1943/8212, ex-USATC #2206
06. SEK # Θγ 526 ALCo/1943/70777, ex-USATC #2428
07. SEK # Θγ 527 ALCo/1943/70792, ex-USATC #2443
08. SEK # Θγ 528 Lima/1943/8235, ex-USATC #2229
09. SEK # Θγ 529 ALCo/1943/70805, ex-USATC #2456
10. SEK # Θγ 530 Lima/1943/8275, ex-USATC #2573
11. SEK # Θγ 531 Baldwin/1944/70355, ex-USATC #3398
12. SEK # Θγ 532 Baldwin/1944/70481, ex-USATC #3524
13. SEK # Θγ 533 Baldwin/1942/67615, ex-USATC #1781
14. SEK # Θγ 534 Lima/1943/8172, ex-USATC #2166
15. SEK # Θγ 535 Lima/1943/8232, ex-USATC #2226
16. SEK # Θγ 536 Baldwin/1943/69622, ex-USATC #2365
17. SEK # Θγ 537 Lima/1943/8354, ex-USATC #2537 |
| Serial Numbers: SEK #THg 551 - 560 (Theta - Gama), S-160 class / Σειρα Θγ 551 - 560 |
01. SEK # Θγ 551 ALCo/1944/71593, ex-USATC #3338
02. SEK # Θγ 552 ALCo/1944/71607, ex-USATC #3352
03. SEK # Θγ 553 ALCo/1944/71619, ex-USATC #3364
04. SEK # Θγ 554 ALCo/1944/71629, ex-USATC #3374
05. SEK # Θγ 555 ALCo/1944/71630, ex-USATC #3375
06. SEK # Θγ 556 ALCo/1944/71582, ex-USATC #3327
07. SEK # Θγ 557 ALCo/1944/71602, ex-USATC #3347
08. SEK # Θγ 558 ALCo/1944/71612, ex-USATC #3357
09. SEK # Θγ 559 ALCo/1944/71615, ex-USATC #3360
10. SEK # Θγ 560 ALCo/1944/71627, ex-USATC #3372 |
| Serial Numbers: SEK #THg 571 - 595 (Theta - Gama), S-160 class / Σειρα Θγ 571 - 595 |
01. SEK # Θγ 571 Baldwin/1942/67574, ex-USATC #1740, ex-FS #736.011
02. SEK # Θγ 572 Baldwin/1942/67619, ex-USATC #1785, ex-FS #736.023
03. SEK # Θγ 573 ALCo/1943/70552, ex-USATC #2070, ex-FS #736.040
04. SEK # Θγ 574 Baldwin/1943/70009, ex-USATC #2746, ex-FS #736.055
05. SEK # Θγ 575 ALCo/1944/71533, ex-USATC #3278, ex-FS #736.073
06. SEK # Θγ 576 ALCo/1944/71554, ex-USATC #3299, ex-FS #736.090
07. SEK # Θγ 577 ALCo/1944/71565, ex-USATC #3310, ex-FS #736.101
08. SEK # Θγ 578 ALCo/1944/71566, ex-USATC #3311, ex-FS #736.102
09. SEK # Θγ 579 ALCo/1944/ 71603, ex-USATC #3348, ex-FS #736.126
10. SEK # Θγ 580 ALCo/1944/71605, ex-USATC #3350, ex-FS #736.127
11. SEK # Θγ 581 Baldwin/1944/70340, ex-USATC #3383, ex-FS #736.131
12. SEK # Θγ 582 Baldwin/1944/70344, ex-USATC #3387, ex-FS #736.135
13. SEK # Θγ 583 Baldwin/1944/70370, ex-USATC #3413, ex-FS #736.151
14. SEK # Θγ 584 Baldwin/1944/70377, ex-USATC #3420, ex-FS #736.158
15. SEK # Θγ 585 Baldwin/1944/70379, ex-USATC #3422, ex-FS #736.160
16. SEK # Θγ 586 Baldwin/1944/70383, ex-USATC #3426, ex-FS #736.164
17. SEK # Θγ 587 Baldwin/1944/70385, ex-USATC #3428, ex-FS #736.166
18. SEK # Θγ 588 Lima/1944/8535, ex-USATC #3622, ex-FS #736.178
19. SEK # Θγ 589 Lima/1944/8579, ex-USATC #3666, ex-FS #736.188
20. SEK # Θγ 590 Lima/1944/8581, ex-USATC #3668, ex-FS #736.190
21. SEK # Θγ 591 Lima/1944/8603, ex-USATC #3690, ex-FS #736.199
22. SEK # Θγ 592 Lima/1944/8607, ex-USATC #3694, ex-FS #736.203
23. SEK # Θγ 593 Lima/1944/8611, ex-USATC #3698, ex-FS #736.207
24. SEK # Θγ 594 ALCo/1945/73410, ex-USATC #4418, ex-FS #736.209
25. SEK # Θγ 595 Lima/1944/8678, ex-USATC #5740, ex-FS #736.217 |
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| Surviving ex-USATC Steam Locomotives in Greece. Διασωθεισες ατμαμαξες στην Ελλαδα |
by Alexandros Gregoriou, and Yiannis Zartaloodes, from Greece
| Locomotive Data | Photo Archive |
| Δα 53 Factory: Porter
Year: 1943
Works No: 7259
ex-USATC No: 1415
Owner: O. S. E.
Location: Thessaloniki New railway, On static display
Photo: 01/07/2000, Thessaloniki New railway station. Copyright: Alex. Gregoriou |  |
| Δα 55 Factory: Vulcan I.W.
Year: 1943
Works No: 4472
ex-USATC No: 1999
Owner: O. S. E.
Location: Thessaloniki new railway station engine - shed. On static display.
Photo: 24/06/2000. Thessaloniki new railway station. Copyright: Alexandros Gregoriou Archive |  |
| Δα 57 Factory: Davenport Works
Year: 1943
Works No: 2549
ex-USATC No: 4400
Owner: O. S. E.
Location: Thessaloniki new railway station engine - shed. On static display.
Photo: 24/06/2000. Thessaloniki new railway station. Copyright:
Alex. Gregoriou |  |
| Δα 59 Factory: Davenport Works
Year: 1944
Works No: 2602
ex-USATC No: 6013
Owner: O. S. E.
Location: Thessaloniki new railway station engine - shed. On static display.
Photo: 24/06/2000. Thessaloniki new railway station.
Copyright: Alex. Gregoriou |  |
| Δα 60 Factory: Vulcan Iron Works
Year: 1944
Works No: 4542
ex-USATC No: 6172
Owner: O. S. E.
Location: Thessaloniki new railway station engine - shed. On static display.
Photo: 24/06/2000. Thessaloniki new railway station. Copyright: Alex. Gregoriou |  |
| Δα 61 Factory: Davenport Works
Year: 1943
Works No: 2481
ex-USATC No: 1310
Owner: O. S. E.
Location: Thessaloniki new railway station engine - shed. On static display.
Photo: 01/07/2000. Thessaloniki new railway station.
Copyright: Alex. Gregoriou |  |
| Δα 63 Factory: Davenport Works
Year: 1944
Works No: 2597
ex-USATC No: 6008
Owner: O. S. E.
Location: Agios Ioannis depot, Athens. On static display.
Photo: 1974,Thessaloniki New Railway depot. Copyright: Niek Opdam |  |
| Δα 65 Factory: Vulcan Iron Works
Year: 1943
Works No: 4460
ex-USATC No: 1987
Owner: O. S. E.
Location : Acharnai railway station, Athens. On static display.
Photo: 06/02/1999. Acharnai Railway Station, Athens. Copyright: Alex. Gregoriou |  |
| Locomotive Data | Photo Archive |
| Θγ 525 Factory: Lima Loc. Works
Year: 1943
Works No: 8212
ex-USATC No: 2206
Owner: O. S. E.
Location: Thessaloniki old railway station engine - shed. On static display. (stored in 1986)
Photo: 06/02/1999. Thessaloniki old railway station engine-shed.
Copyright: Alex. Gregoriou |  |
| Θγ 532 Factory: Baldwin Loc. Works
Year: 1944
Works No: 70481
ex-USATC No: 3524
Owner: O. S. E.
Location: Thessaloniki new railway station engine - shed. On static display.
Photo: 22/03/2000. Thessaloniki new railway station. Copyright: Alex. Gregoriou |  |
| Θγ 535 Factory: Lima Loc. Works
Year: 1943
Works No: 8232
ex-USATC No: 2226
Owner: O. S. E.
Location: Thessaloniki new railway station engine - shed. On static display.
Photo: 22/03/2000. Thessaloniki new railway station. Copyright: Alex. Gregoriou |  |
| Locomotive Data | Photo Archive |
| Θγ 576 Factory: American Loc. Co.
Year: 1944
Works No: 71554
ex-USATC No: 3299
ex-FS No: 736.090
Owner: O. S. E.
Location: Acharnai railway station, Athens. On static display.
Photo: 06/02/1999. Acharnai Railway Station, Athens. Copyright: Alex. Gregoriou |  |
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