San Luis Central 2-8-0 "Consolidation" Locomotives in the USA


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class Little Nell (Locobase 14244)

Data from DeGolyer, Vol 51, pp. 286+. See also the photo and caption at [], last accessed 27 June 2012; and P. R. "Bob" Griswold and Phelps R. GTra ), p. 37.. Works number was 41017 in December 1913.

The "Pea Vine" was built in 1913 to convey sugar beets to a mill located along its 13-mile (20.9-km) right-of-way from Sugar Junction (near Monte Vista) to Center, Colo. After that crop's mill closed within a year, the region exploited its climate's suitability for growing potatos.

According to the caption of a 1953 Fred Springer photograph: "For 42 years [#1] ran back and forth over arrow-straight track without ever turning around at either terminal. The SLC did not have a caboose, obliging the train crew to ride in the engine's cab or in the doghouse atop the tender." Obviously, the lack of a trailing truck meant little at the low speeds at which the trains operated.

The Griswolds are the source for the locomotive's name as well as for the comment that empty potato trains might string as many as 114 cars. Locobase figures the return trips must have consisted of much shorter trains.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

ClassLittle Nell
Locobase ID14244
RailroadSan Luis Central
CountryUSA
Whyte2-8-0
Number in Class1
Road Numbers1
GaugeStd
Number Built1
BuilderBaldwin
Year1913
Valve GearStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)14.50 / 4.42
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)22 / 6.71
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.66
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)51.19 / 15.60
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)115,500 / 52,390
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)131,000 / 59,421
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)90,000 / 40,823
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)221,000 / 100,244
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)4500 / 17.05
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)7 / 6
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)48 / 24
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)50 / 1270
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)180 / 12.40
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)20" x 24" / 508x610
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)29,376 / 13324.75
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 3.93
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)241 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)13 / 3.96
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)144 / 13.38
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)30.30 / 2.81
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1774 / 164.81
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1774 / 164.81
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume203.21
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation5454
Same as above plus superheater percentage5454
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area25,920
Power L14285
Power MT327.16

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