The locomotive type (Gattungszeichen) of a German steam locomotive was a secondary classification system introduced after 1924 by the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft (DRG) and comprised four parts: 1. * A letter from the adjacent table, that specified the type of locomotive (express train engine, passenger train locomotive, etc.). 2. * A number, usually two-digit, the first digit indicating the number of coupled axles and the second the total number of axles on the locomotive. Tender axles were not included. 3. * The permitted axle load in tonnes was given next, after a full stop separating it from the preceding axle information. 4. * If parts of the locomotive exceeded the loading gauge, this was indicated with a triangle over the axle load (see photo below right). If this was si