91 719 - from "one" to "four"?

(by Ingo Hütter)

The locomotive historian knows at once that 91 719 was a KPEV T9³ - and asks himself, what is so extraordinary with this machine. Well, there was at least one locomotive to much with this number. But let's start with the beginning.

For the first time the number 91 719 was given to a 1905 built O&K locomotive with works number 1551, which was delivered as "Bsl 1541" and renumbered to "BSL 7324" in 1906. The number "91 719" was carried by this locomotive since 1925, but already in August 1932 the machine was withdrawn.

There is no doubt, that the locomotive was really withdrawn, as the number 91 719 was used for a second time by the DRB in 1941. The locomotive "DZG 7383" (built in 1909 by Union, works number 1751) came in 1920 to the PKP where it was renumbered TKi3-228. When the PKP locomotive stock was taken over by DRB during WWII this locomotive received the number 91 719 again.

But after the war the number 91 719 can be found four times in different sources:

• One 91 719 was in the DR stock and was handed over to the "Braunkohlenindustrie in der sowjet. Zone" (brown coal industry in the soviet zone).
• A second 91 719 is renumbered by the DR in 1948 to 91 1846. This locomotive was withdrawn 19.01.1954.
• The CSD returned on 20.09.1948 a 91 719 to the DB - there withdrawn 12.05.1955.
• And at last also the PKP renumbering plan of 1946 mentions, that the new TKi3-137 was the former 91 719. By the way - this locomotive was withdrawn 20.06.1950.

One locomotive and four whereabouts - isn't that strange? But there are some hints to solve at least parts of the problem.

• According to the PKP boiler book TKi3-137 had the boiler "Unio 1751" - that's no prove, but the probability is quite high that this locomotive is identical with 91 719" of 1941.
• As the DR 91 1845 was a lithunian locomotive it must be assumed, that also 91 719 (which became 91 1846) was of lithunian origin and the real number has been LG 719. And as 91 1846 was located in Senftenberg (which is in the middle of the brown coal industry area), it can also be assumed that it was this locomotive which was given to the brown coal industry in 1947 - and presumably came back to the DR short time later.

But the identity of the DB 91 719 is still uncertain. It was said that it might have been the first 91 719 (after reactivation), but that sounds a bit strange. Also the DB withdrawal protocol "HVB 21.213 Fau 137" mentions, that this locomotive was built in 1903 - while the original 91 719 was built in 1905.

If any of the readers can provide some hints on the identity of DB 91 719 the author would be very happy to receive a mail. Also information on the identity of DR 91 719 resp. 91 1846 would be very appreciated, as the concrete identity of LG 719 is still unknown, too.