ESU 3165x - BR 80 - DB/DR/RAG/VSM NL - DC/AC - Engineering Edition

The standard steam locomotive program of the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft (DRG) also included a three-axle series for heavy shunting work. For this series, the DRG set a maximum axle load of 17.5 tons, which was only slightly exceeded during acceptance with 18.1 tons thanks to various tricks. This series made optimal use of the track facilities in shunting yards and industrial areas near large cities. In contrast to the numerous, mostly larger locomotives from the state railway era, the 80 locomotives were both more powerful and more economical. Due to their powerful boilers, the three-axle locomotives were given the nickname "Bulli". Despite the undeniable advantages of the modern design, the DRG limited itself to the 39 units acquired in 1928 and 1929 due to the difficult economic situation. Mostly at passenger stations, the locomotives sped over the rails at the maximum permissible speed of 45 km/h (28 mph). By 1966, the reliable locomotives had disappeared from the shunting yards of both German railways. V60s of both designs delivered similar tractive effort but were even more versatile due to their higher top speed. However, with their age of less than 40 years, the 80s locomotives were by no means obsolete. Both railways used the Bullis in repair shops or sold them to industrial companies or coal mines, who gratefully used the proven locomotives. Thus, a handful of 80s locomotives toiled in coal mines in the Ruhr area. There they were even used for hauling internal passenger trains. The last operational Bullis were the 80 036 and 80 039 of the Hamm Museum Railway, which were transferred to the Veluwsche Stoomtrein Maatschappij (VSM) in the Netherlands. The 80 009 of the Deutsche Reichsbahn enjoys a special status: it is the only state railway locomotive sold to a private individual during the GDR period. With great effort, engine driver Klaus Hollenbach acquired the locomotive in 1981, transported it under its own power and built a locomotive shed and a short siding on his private property for his 80 009, which was hoisted onto the rails in 1982 with the help of two mobile cranes.