The three engines of DRG Class 99.22 were standard,
narrow gauge locomotives (Einheitsloks) in service with the German
Reichsbahn. They had operating numbers 99 221 to 99 223.
They were built and deployed for the railway line from
Eisfeld to
Schönbrunn. In 1944, during the course of the
Second World War, locomotives 99 221 and 99 223 went to the
Thamshavnbanen copper ore line in
Norway. After the end of the war they stayed there and were later scrapped. Locomotive 99 222 remained on duty until 1966 on its original route, but when it became clear that the end was nigh, it transferred to the
Harz and is in service today on the network of the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways (Harzer Schmalspurbahnen or HSB) between
Nordhausen,
Quedlinburg and
Wernigerode.
The Class 99.22 is the most powerful of the German narrow gauge steam locomotives and had
Bissel axles. In addition the coal tank tapered toward the back. One feature was the Janney automatic centre
buffer coupling. After its transfer to the
Harzquerbahn, 99 222 was converted to the normal
compensating coupling with central buffer. This conversion can be clearly recognised by the cutouts in the
buffer beam.
On the introduction of the DR's new
EDP numbering scheme in 1970 the engine was given operating number 99 7222, which she carries to this day because the HSB has retained the DR numbering from 1970.
The new
DR Class 99.23-24 locomotives were built on the basis of the Einheitsloks. Differences in the new engines are the feedwater heater and the bar
frame.