556.0 "Stoker"

The origin of the 556.0 steam locomotives dates back to the period shortly after World War II, when a complete renovation of railways was carried out, and one of the serious problems was the lack of powerful freight locomotives capable of transporting the ever-increasing volume of cargo.

The 556.0 steam locomotive was manufactured at the Škoda Works in Pilsen between 1951 and 1958. It is the most numerous domestic type of steam locomotives and, thanks to advanced technology and experience, is considered the most perfect freight locomotive of Czechoslovak origin. The machines were designed for the heaviest freight trains on main lines across Czechoslovakia. Towards the end of their service, they were also used for less significant operations on secondary lines, where they served until the complete end of steam operation in 1981.

The first locomotive 556.001 was taken over by the railways on February 7, 1951, and additional series were gradually ordered. The total number of 510 manufactured machines was reached in spring 1958 with the takeover of the last locomotive 556.0491 from the 6th production series (locomotive number 556.0510 was delivered a few days earlier). It was also the very last standard gauge (1435 mm) steam locomotive manufactured in Czechoslovakia.

510 units were manufactured in 6 series, with 2 operational locomotives preserved (556.036 in Slovakia in Vrútky, 556.0506 in the Czech Republic in Hradec Králové) and two non-operational ones (556.0271 Railway Museum in Lužná u Rakovníka, 556.0510 in the National Technical Museum depository in Chomutov).

(source: Wikipedia, photo: Milan Palacka)