2-8-0 Steam Locomotives in Nicaragua

Pacifico de Nicaragua


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 25 (Locobase 14192)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 49, p 111. Works numbers were 39902-39903 in May 1913.

J G White Engineering Corporation of #43 Exchange Place, New York City, ordered these oil-burning Consolidations for the Pacifico at the same time they bought the two Ten-wheelers shown in Locobase 14191. Like the smaller 4-6-0s, these engines operated on the 40 lb/yard (20 kg/metre) rail, up 3% grades, and around relatively gentle 10 degree curves.

A general note stipulates that "details where possible and suitable to interchangeable with [the Ten-wheelers]." As far as the main components went, however, everything in the 2-8-0s was bigger than its counterparts in the 4-6-0s. The firebox was lined with fire brick for oil burning and Baldwin's "standard oil burning arrangement" placed the burner in the front end of the firebox.

The specs also include a common post-delivery "Hereafter" note, in this instance dated 10 May 1915, that acknowledged the stresses encountered by these small engines operating in rough circumstances: "The equalizing beam links to be made stronger."


Class 27 (Locobase 21192)

Data from "Class 280-95", Order S-1625, American Locomotive Company data card (August 1928); and Nicatren.com's at [], last accessed 20 August 2024. (Thanks to Teemu Koivumaki for his 18 August 2024 email supplying the data card for this class.) Works numbers were 67664-67665 in August 1928 and 68228-68229 in December 1929.

Road numbered immediately higher than the 1913 Baldwin pair (Locobase 14192)), these oil-burning Consolidations from Alco offered more cylinder volume that more than compensated for a lower boiler-pressure setting. The larger boiler held 50 more fire tubes.and the firebox area measured about 1/4 more than the earlier engines.

Two more joined the 27-28 under Schenectay order number S-1677.

Records show that all still operated on the Pacifico in March 1953 and a photo taken in 1964 showed the 28 in service.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class2527
Locobase ID14192 21192
RailroadPacifico de NicaraguaPacifico de Nicaragua
CountryNicaraguaNicaragua
Whyte2-8-02-8-0
Number in Class24
Road Numbers25-2627-30
Gauge3'6"3'6"
Number Built24
BuilderBaldwinAlco-Schenectady
Year19131928
Valve GearWalschaertStephenson-Belpaire
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)12.25 / 3.7312.67 / 3.86
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)18.92 / 5.7719.67 / 6
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.65 0.64
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)43.83 / 13.3645.75 / 13.94
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)73,000 / 33,11284,500 / 38,329
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)82,000 / 37,19595,000 / 43,091
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)50,000 / 22,68063,160 / 28,649
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)132,000 / 59,875158,160 / 71,740
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)2500 / 9.472500 / 9.47
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)1000 / 37851000 / 3785
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)30 / 1535 / 17.50
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)43 / 109242 / 1067
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)180 / 1240160 / 1100
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)16" x 20" / 406x50817" x 22" / 432x559
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)18,218 / 8263.5620,588 / 9338.57
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.01 4.10
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)154 - 2" / 51203 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)11.58 / 3.5311.58 / 3.53
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)85 / 7.90104 / 9.66
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)16.90 / 1.5715.90 / 1.48
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1012 / 94.051318 / 122.45
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1012 / 94.051318 / 122.45
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume217.44228.04
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation30422544
Same as above plus superheater percentage30422544
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area15,30016,640
Power L139833562
Power MT481.15371.73

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