Stoomlocomotieven series SS 801-835
(NS serie 1700)

Subtitle

De 2'B-locomotivene van de Staatsspoorwegen

Author

Paul Henken

ISBN

90-71513-366-4

Publisher

Uquilair Uitgeverij

Published in

2008

Language

Dutch

RRP

€28,00

Price paid

€28,00

Date

2-10-2008

Seller

Uquilair

# Pages

184

Size

24x30cm

State

New

Review

This book is another issue in a well known series about Dutch motive power. The books are usually well structured and give a detailed overview of origin, design, building, operation and demise of the series. Sold out examples are well sought after by collectors, driving prices for NS 6300 to soar way beyond €100 for a good copy. The book about 1700 had to be preordered to view the interest for the book. There where only few copies in the trade. By now it sold out.

Paul Henken made another terrific job of this book. Thoroughly researched and documented the NS 1700 series appear as a very successful design. The book was written relatively late and only few engineers are still alive to tell firsthand stories about this series in its heydays (before 1940). Full coverage of all aspects proved no longer possible.
Built from 1899 until 1907 these engines were there to stay. Visually the double frame with the splashers form a very attractive, rough engine. Operationally they were valued by their crews. They were good steamers and fast and easy runners. Though limited in their tractive force they pulled just about everything but the heaviest express trains which were reserved for later 4-6-0 designs. As far as I know none of these tough engines survived.