Utisci
sa Jugoslovenskih zeleznica uzanog koloseka - 4
The Class 83 0-8-2 locos were the staple motive power for the Yugoslav narrow gauge lines and this is 83-166 on shed at Dubrovnik. A total of 185 were built which probably makes them the most numerous narrow gauge class in Europe. The first was built by Krauss of Linz in 1904 and further batches were built over the years. The final locos being Nos. 83-169 to 83-185 built in 1949 by Duro Dakovic. As late as 1965 a total of 169 were still in service allocated to Sarajevo (118), Belgrade (41) and Titograd (10). The odd 0-8-2 wheel arrangement enabled a wide firebox to be provided to burn the poor quality coal on offer but lack of a front pony wheel restricted maximum speed to only 35 Km/h.
Most of the class were fitted with this distinctive spark arrestor chimney because of the danger of fires in the dry summer season. Quite a number of this highly successful class have been preserved although many of these are in poor condition. One of the best known of the surviving locos is 83-076 which now works on the popular Zillertalbahn in Austria. Also currently under restoration to working order are 83-017, 83-062 and 83-173 for use on the Sargan Mountain railway. When completed this will run for 15.5 Km from Mokra Gora to Sargan Vitasi. With 3 examples of Class 83 and also 2-8-2 85-005 the line will be a fitting tribute to the great days of the narrow gauge.
Amazingly as late as October 1999, No 83-159 was still at work at a coalmine in Banovici, Bosnia.
