O&K n° 26872

We call her O&K, but in fact she is an O&K model MB 200 N and her serial number is 26872. This little locomotive is best described as the workhorse of our association, it is our smallest roadworthy diesel locomotive, which makes her the perfect combination of economical and practical. Most shunting movements are carried out with her.

History

She was built in 1977 at Orenstein und Koppel, a German manufacturer with a long history with railway vehicles starting with steam trains. The firm was also a well-known manufacturer of other work vehicles such as excavators. The locomotive is not unique, it has an appearance that had been mass-produced by the O&K firm. It was bought by the firm Degussa. Degussa was a large chemical company in the port of Antwerp, today they are called Evonik. Where she worked until 2003, serving for many years with short goods trains over short distances in the industrial area. In 2003, she was transferred to Baasrode where she has since started a real 2nd career.

At the association

Many of our events are shunted in advance with O&K. It is equipped with a compressor and can therefore make compressed air for the brake line.

Nowadays, however, those trains are getting heavier and heavier shunting locomotives are used for such moves. She then stands aside and is rather used for the smaller things like pulling the steam locomotives out of the shed for ride days and putting them back inside in the evening. Her maintenance is low priority these days, she is not a unique piece nor is she really a Belgian locomotive. Besides, O&K's frame rests low against the track up to the wheels, this makes maintenance along her underside a difficult affair. However, she remains a reliable machine.