Henschel Bt "Bagdadbau"
History
This 600mm gauge loco is perhaps one of the most emblematic narrow gauge loco in Turkey. During World War one, Henschel supplied about one hundred of these locos for use in Anatolia. They were based on common German military specifications of the time. They were used for the construction of the Baghdad railway, especially in the unfinished areas at the time: the Cilician Gates and the Amanus crossing.
After the war, many units stayed in Turkey either on military duty, or on industrial duty. Several units are still existing:
Preserved units in Turkey
| Factory nbr. | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 15943 | OGÜ railway, Eskisehir | In working condition |
| 15943(?) | Eskisehir University | Plinthed |
| 15943(?) | RMK museum, Istanbul | Plinthed |
| 15944 | Alsancak station, Izmir | Plinthed |
| 16062 | Çamlik Museum | Plinthed |
| ? | Tüvasas (Sivas) | Plinthed |
An engine, named Thomas Edmondson is preserved at the South Tynedale Railway, in the United Kingdom. This loco is one of the batch that never made it to Turkey and went to Spain instead. This loco is in working condition and was used regularly until expiration of its boiler certificate in 1994. The loco was heavily overhauled before being put back into service in September 2006.
Factory numbers
Source: "Steam in Turkey" E. Talbot, page 107.
Some of the loco manufactured by Henschel did not make to Anatolia. One unit stayed at the plant in Kassel. 20 units were sold to Spain.
This list might not be complete.
| Delivery year | Henschel n° | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| 1916 | 14539 to 14558 | 20 |
| 1917 | 15098 to 15102 | 5 |
| 1918 | 15829 to 15846 | 18 |
| 1918 | 16023 to 16074 | 52 |
Engine main characteristics
| First year | 1914 |
| Engine axle type | B -- |
| Driving wheel dia | 670 mm |
| Number of cylinder | 2 |
| Cylinder diameter | 254 mm |
| Piston stroke | 356 mm |
| Boiler pressure | 10 bar |
| Overall length | 5,03 m |
| Overall wheel base | 1,55 m |
| Weight empty | 12 t |
| Weight loaded | 14 t |
| Adhesion weight | 14 t |
| Load per driving wheel | 7 t |
Pictures
Henschel n°16062 currently plinthed in Çamlik Museum. August 1996. Photo JP Charrey. | 
Again Henschel n°16062. August 1996. Photo JP Charrey. |
Henschel n°15944, plinthed in Izmir, in front of Alsancak station. June 2001. Photo JP Charrey. | 
Henschel n°15943, on OGÜ railway, Eskisehir. January 2002. Photo JP Charrey. |
KL2202 plinthed in Sivas. 2002. Photo Malcom Peakman | 
KL2202 plinthed in Sivas. 2002. Photo Malcom Peakman |
Henshel 15943 at the RMK museum, This unit bears the same number manufacturer nbr as its sister in OGU. March 2005. Photo JP Charrey. |