The NMBS/SNCB Type 64 was a class of steam locomotives built as Prussian P 8s for German railways, delivered as war reparations to Belgium at the end of

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

. 168 locomotives of this type were delivered to Belgium, working mostly on light passenger trains operated by the

National Railway Company of Belgium The National Railway Company of Belgium (, NMBS; , SNCB; ) is the national railway company of Belgium. The company formally styles itself using the Dutch and French abbreviations NMBS/SNCB. The corporate logo designed in 1936 by Henry van de Ve ...

(NMBS/SNCB). The final locomotives of this type were withdrawn in 1967, marking the end of steam service in the country.

Design, construction and service history

As part of the

Treaty of Versailles The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty signed on 28 June 1919. As the most important treaty of World War I, it ended the state of war between Germany and most of the Allies of World War I, Allied Powers. It was signed in the Palace ...

, Germany had to deliver over 2000 locomotives to Belgium as reparations. The first units arrived in Belgium in 1919, still wearing their German paint and copper plates identifying their region of use and a number. Painted verdigris for the body, black for the smoke box and the red for the chassis, wheels and decoration, these units would retain their German number identification plates until January 1925, keeping their German numbers until they were renumbered by the SNCB on October 1, 1931. Originally built as Prussian P 8 locomotives, the Belgian Type 64 were capable of running up to speeds of 100 km/h. Many of this type of locomotive were maintained at the Central workshop in

Mechelen Mechelen (; ; historically known as ''Mechlin'' in EnglishMechelen has been known in English as ''Mechlin'', from where the adjective ''Mechlinian'' is derived. This name may still be used, especially in a traditional or historical context. T ...

, which also performed services including complete tear-downs and boiler repairs. Type 64 locomotives were seen in the Flemish TV series Wij, Heren van Zichem, during filming circa 1966.

Preservation

Only one of the Type 64 was preserved by SNCB, the 64.045, which is not in working order. Another locomotive, no. 64.169, has been preserved by

Patrimoine Ferroviaire et Tourisme Patrimoine Ferroviaire et Tourisme (PFT) are a society dedicated to the preservation of Belgium, Belgian railway heritage. They cover a number of aspects of Railfan, railway enthusiasm, operating Railtour, charter trains, maintaining heritage l ...

(PFT) in Belgium. Originally a CFR 230.084, it was found in a dilapidated state in

Romania Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern and Southeast Europe. It borders Ukraine to the north and east, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, Moldova to ...

, sitting in

Bacău Bacău ( ; , ; ; ) is the main city in Bacău County, Romania. With a population of 136,087 (as of 2021 census), Bacău is the 14th largest city in Romania. The city is situated in the historical region of Moldavia, at the foothills of the ...

for 20 years until it was purchased by the PFT on February 3, 2001 for a cost of $23 000. €130.000 was set aside for restoration of the locomotive, which was done by Cumeg in

Cluj-Napoca Cluj-Napoca ( ; ), or simply Cluj ( , ), is a city in northwestern Romania. It is the second-most populous city in the country and the seat of Cluj County. Geographically, it is roughly equidistant from Bucharest (), Budapest () and Belgrade ( ...

. It returned to excursion service in Belgium in 2007.

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:SNCB Type 64 4-6-0 locomotives 2′C locomotives 64 Type 64 Passenger locomotives Standard-gauge locomotives of Belgium Railway locomotives introduced in 1906

Design, construction and service history

Preservation

See also

References