The steam locomotive SO-17 N1600: freight for freedom and indepence.
In the time of WW2, in the winter of 1941/1942, the part of equipmetnt and personnel of the 
BMZ (Bryansk Engineering Works, Russia) was evacuated in Siberia. In a hard time of war, in 
a wild steppe near Krasnoyarsk city the people was built the new works (later 
"Sibtyazhmash").
In the June, 1943, the new works made the first steam locomotive, SO-17 N1600 (the serial 
name "SO" is the "Sergo Orjonikidze", the name of the one of Ministers; it was a tradition 
of that time). The drivers of this locomotive, V. Gertzik, V. Novikov and A. Borovik, 
delivered the train with the important freight for the Army from Siberia to Moscow. The 
Ministery of Transport awarded these drivers by the memorable watches (at that time it was 
very honorable award).<br>
In a photo: SO-17 N1600 in Krasnoyarsk depot. 
<p>
Photo by S. Mayevsky.
Scan by Oleg V. Izmerov, <press@admin.bryansk.ru>