Belgian National Railways Class 1 Pacific

Early in 1935 the Belgian National Railways (S.N.C.B.) were contemplating a general increase in the speed and weight of their main-line trains, which for many years had been in the hands of the famous Flamme Pacifics. To this end a series of fifteen heavy 4-cylinder Pacifics were delivered during that year.

Classed as Series ' 1 ' and numbered from 101 to 115, they were impressive machines in both design and appearance, packing great power into a compact size.

To assist in hand-firing the 54 sq. ft. grate, two firedoprs were provided, but coal consumption was reduced by the use of an A.C.F.I. feed water heater. Walschaerts valve gear was employed, with conjugated drive to the inside cylinders, and the 6 ft. 6 in. driving wheels were fitted with compressed air sanding gear.

In service, Nos. 101 to 115 proved very fine machines indeed, and during the next three years a total of thirty-five were built; they were capable of hauling with ease 700-ton trains over the 71-mile Ostend-Brussels main line in 60 minutes, and on the other main routes radiating from Brussels equally fine performances were achieved. The lighter accelerated expresses were generally handled by the streamlined Class '12' Atlantics,

On the outbreak of war, of course, all high-speed running in Belgium came to an end and only their very high axle loading of 23 1/2 tons prevented the Class ' 1 ' engines being taken to Germany as ' prizes of war.'

After the war, electrification was soon under way and these fine locomotives never since recaptured their former glory; however, numbered 1001 to 1035, they were seen on many of the steam-hauled trains in the 1960's, and this picture of No. 1023 was taken shortly before she set off from Brussels Midi with a light passenger train for the French frontier.