Military Occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Manufactured 1900-1901)
Variously called BHStB/BHLB/SHS IIIa5 JDŽ/JŽ 185/JDŽ 185
BHStB IIIa5 of the first series in 1965 as JŽ 185-025 in Čapljina – Klose narrow gauge locomotive with radial gear removed. The JDŽ 185 (IIIa5) was mostly used for the Dalmatian and Zelenika railway track. In years 1900 und 1901, 45 pieces were delivered. The second series was the JDŽ 186. Max speed was 45 km/h. Manufactured from 1900-1901.
Narrow-gauge railways with the so-called Bosnian gauge were built to open up the areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina occupied by Austria from 1878. Curved locomotives with Klose steering axles were used on these routes with steep inclines and tight curves . The first of these locomotives were designated as the IIIa4 series and were twin locomotives with single use of steam expansion. In order to improve performance, the BHStB decided to purchase group locomotives.
In 1900 and 1901, 45 units were delivered to the Bosnian-Herzegovinian State Railways, which were later designated as the JDŽ 185 series by the Yugoslavian State Railways (JDŽ). From 1901 a second series of eleven identical but reinforced III5a were procured, the later JDŽ series 186.
Because of the joint administration by the Austrian and Hungarian halves of Bosnia-Herzegovina, part of the first series was delivered by Weitzer János in Arad and part of the second series by the Budapest Machine Works (MÁVAG). The other machines come from the Krauss factory in Linz.
With the IIIa5 series, the deliveries of Klose locomotives were completed. In total, the railways in Bosnia-Herzegovina procured 99 pieces, a uniquely high number. Their long service life proves that the Klose locomotives have proven themselves well in tough operation.
Technical Features
The IIIa5 series locomotives were built similarly to their IIIa4 predecessors. But they were equipped with a two-cylinder compound engine, vertical valve boxes and Allan controls . The two-axle Krauss support tender allowed for significantly larger water and coal tanks, both of which could be accommodated on it. The high chimney and the distinctive exhaust sound of the compound engine helped the series IIIa5 to be nicknamed Top (cannon).
