MÁV Class 424

MÁV class 424
Power type	Steam
Build date	1924–1958
Total produced	514
Configuration	4-8-0
UIC classification	2′D h
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Driver diameter	1,606 mm (63.23 in)
Length	20.79 m (68 ft 3 in)
Locomotive weight	83.2 tonnes (81.9 long tons; 91.7 short tons)
Locomotive & tender combined weight	137.7 tonnes (135.5 long tons; 151.8 short tons)
Boiler pressure	13 kg/cm2 (1.27 MPa; 185 psi)
Firegrate area	4.45 m2 (47.9 sq ft)
Heating surface: Total	162.6 m2 (1,750 sq ft)
Superheater area	68 m2 (730 sq ft)
Cylinder size	600 × 660 mm (23.62 × 25.98 in)

Locomotive 424 is the most famous steam locomotive produced in Hungary and Class 424 is considered the best steam locomotive type of the Hungarian State Railways. 424 appears in numerous nostalgic remembrances, in literature, in the movies and as models. The 424 is a double-chimney, superheated machine. It's nicknames were "Buffalo" (for their strength) and "Nurmi" (for their speed, after Paavo Nurmi, a famous Finnish runner, well known and highly regarded in Hungary).

MÁVAG began to manufacture the Class 424 in 1924, with 2′D axle layout (4-8-0 in Whyte notation). It made its first test run between Budapest and Vác on 22 April 1924. The planning was led by Béla Kertész (1882–1970) locomotive constructor.

The 424 was a universal main line locomotive. It was used to haul heavy freight trains, stopping trains and express trains. The 424 locomotives are well known abroad as well.

Until 1958, 514 machines were produced, of which 149 were foreign orders. They remained in service until 1984, when steam engines were withdrawn in Hungary.

The 424s were coal burners by design. In the early 1960s some engines were converted to burn oil, but their performance did not increase enough to compete with the diesel equipments of that time, like NOHAB DSB engines and Soviet-made M62s.

Preservation

Nowadays three working examples survived and used for historical and excursion trains. The surviving engines are 424,009; 424,247 and 424,287.

Few engines are exhibited on static display. 424,001 was accommodated at the Zagreb Railway Station, lately moved to Budapest and displayed in front of the Museum of Transportation.

The 424,124 locomotive is exhibited on the main station of Dombóvár (in the county of Tolna, found in central Hungary). The vehicle shows the times of the socialist era, with the red star in the front of the water tank.

Sources

• dr. Csiba, József (in Hungarian). A 424-es. Budapest: Közdok. 
• "A 424" (in Hungarian). Indóház (Budapest) (424 Special II.).