Soviet locomotive class L

Soviet locomotive class L
Locomotive L-3653 near Moscow
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer L.S. Lebedyanskiy Builder Kolomna Locomotive Works Build date 1945—1955 Total produced 4,199
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-10-0 Driver dia. 1,500 mm (59.06 in) Height 4,873 mm (15.99 ft) Axle load 18 t (18 long tons; 20 short tons) Fuel type Coal Firebox: ​  • Grate area 6 m2 (65 sq ft) Boiler pressure 14 kgf/cm2 (1.37 MPa; 199 psi) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 113 m2 (1,220 sq ft) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 650 mm × 800 mm (25.59 in × 31.50 in) bore x stroke Valve gear Walschaerts
Performance figures Maximum speed 85 km/h (53 mph) Tractive effort 271.5 kN (61,040 lbf)
Career Nicknames Swan Locale Soviet Union First run 1945 Retired 1975-1995 Scrapped 1975-1991 (600),1992-1995 Disposition Most Scrapped

The Soviet locomotive class L (Russian: Л) was a Soviet main freight steam locomotive type. They were nicknamed Lebed, "Swan."^[1]

The L class 2-10-0 was the first Soviet locomotive to use Boxpok-type wheels, which were commonplace in steam locomotive design post-World War II. A casing between the dome and chimney covered a steam drier pipe.

It was designed and built by the Kolomna Locomotive Works shortly after World War II under supervision by L.C. Lebedyanski. It was originally designated Class P (for Pobeda, "victory"), but was redesignated Class L in honor of its designer.

In conjunction with the FD class 2-10-2, it was primarily used to haul mainline goods across the terrain of the Soviet Union. Over 4,000 L class locomotives were constructed from 1945-1955, and they operated with the Soviet Railways until 1975.

Today there are over 300 example of L class locomotives surviving in various states of repair in the former Soviet Union, constituting the single largest surviving class of locomotives in the world. Many are still in operating condition.^{[citation needed]}

• History of rail transport in Russia
• Russian Railway Museum, Saint Petersburg