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

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.

Engine main characteristics

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.