Vr Class Tk3

It was the most numerous steam locomotive class in Finland with 161 built. 100 locomotives were constructed between 1927 and 1930, with a further 61 ordered and constructed 1943–53. They were numbered 800–899, 1100–1118, and 1129–1170.

VR Class Tk3
Tk3 with wood chimney
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Tampella, Lokomo and Frichs Build date 1927–53 Total produced 161
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR 2-8-0 Gauge 1,524 mm (5 ft) Driver dia. 1,270 mm (4 ft 2 in) Length 16 m (52 ft 6 in) Loco weight 51.8 tonnes (51.0 long tons; 57.1 short tons) Boiler pressure 14 bar (1,400 kPa; 200 psi) Cylinders Two, outside Valve gear Walschaerts
Performance figures Maximum speed 60 km/h (37 mph) Tractive effort 94 kN (21,130 lbf)
Career Operators VR First run 1927 Withdrawn 1975 Disposition 38 preserved, remainder scrapped

They were designed for a low axle load of just 10.7 tonnes (10.5 long tons; 11.8 short tons). This allowed them to operate on lightly laid secondary lines, but during their many years of service, up to the end of the steam era, they were also widely used on main lines hauling slow passenger trains that made frequent stops.

They were affectionately called "Pikku-Jumbo" (The Little Jumbo) because of their good performance despite their low weight. They had a low fuel consumption (usually Tk3s used birch wood) and good riding characteristics. They also had good steaming characteristics and were very popular among locomotive crews.

The livery of Tk3 was the same as other VR steam locomotives: dark locomotive green with a black smokebox. When new some locos were lined with thin gold decoration. The gold decorations were not repainted during maintenance, so they were seldom seen.

Two Tk3-type engines were originally supplied by Tampella to Rauma Rautatie as Nos. 9 and 10 (ex-No. 8) in 1935 and 1927 respectively. These engines became Tk3 1117 and 1118 after the private railway was absorbed by the State network in 1950.

Thirty-eight members of the class have been preserved:

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  Tk 3 -class locomotive (most numerous steam locomotive class in Finland), in a commercial livery for the Sinebrychoff brewery (normal livery was black/forest green)
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  Tk 3 locomotive in a commercial livery
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  Tk 3 locomotive in a commercial livery
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  Tk 3 locomotive in a commercial livery
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  Tk3 1105 at the Russian Railway Museum, Baltiysky railway station, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 1105 at Varshavsky Rail Terminal Museum, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 1105 at Varshavsky Rail Terminal Museum, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 1105 at Varshavsky Rail Terminal Museum, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 1105 at Varshavsky Rail Terminal Museum, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 1105 at Varshavsky Rail Terminal Museum, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 1105 at Varshavsky Rail Terminal Museum, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 1105 at Varshavsky Rail Terminal Museum, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 1105 at Varshavsky Rail Terminal Museum, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 1105 at Varshavsky Rail Terminal Museum, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 1105 at Varshavsky Rail Terminal Museum, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 1105 at Varshavsky Rail Terminal Museum, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 1105 at Varshavsky Rail Terminal Museum, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 1105 at Varshavsky Rail Terminal Museum, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 1105 at Varshavsky Rail Terminal Museum, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 1105 at Varshavsky Rail Terminal Museum, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 1105 at Varshavsky Rail Terminal Museum, St.Petersburg, Russia
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  Tk3 no. 1136 steam locomotive running as special service from Kouvola to Kotka
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  Tk3 steam locomotive in Helsinki
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  preserved VR Class Tk3 steam locomotive (no. 1147) covered with snow at Rovaniemi railway station in Rovaniemi, Finland
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  VR Class Tk3 1147 at Rovaniemi railway station
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  Tk3 1151 at Ongar Station Epping Ongar Railway
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  Tk3 1159 at Kokkola
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  Tk3 1168
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  Tk3 1170 at Karis
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  Tk3 1170 at Karis
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  Tk3 1170 at Karis
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  Tk3 1170 at Karis
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  Tk3 no1167 at Rauma Finland

Valtionrautatiet 1937-1962, Helsinki 1962