This steam locomotive and the sister model were built in 1942 by the Floridsdorfer Lokomotivfabrik.
Although the machines had three times the power of the original Erzbergbahn locomotives class 97, they were not satisfactory. There were constant technical problems, which resulted in long stays in the main workshop. Also, the machines could only be used on the southern ramp of the Erzberg between Vordernberg and the Erzberg because of their mass and the non-existent reinforcement of the rack, which was necessary for the performance.
Road number 97 402 was parked as early as 1949 and used as a source of spare parts. At the ÖBB, the second locomotive was assigned the number 297.401 in 1953. This locomotive was in service until 1964.
The type was the most powerful, but also the most complex cogwheel steam locomotive in the world. Both machines were retired in 1968, and number 297.401 has stood as a memorial in Vordernberg since 1976.
[Source: Wikipedia]