Buenos Aires Western 0-4-0 Locomotives in Argentina


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class La Portena (Locobase 10715)

Data from "The First Locomotive, Buenos Ayres [sic] Western Ry.", The Locomotive Magazine, Vol XV (15 June 1909), p. 114. Most sources credit this locomotive to Hunslet Engine Company.

First used as a contractor' engine during the Crimean War, this little tank had been destined for a broad-gauge railway in India. Once the war ended in 1857, however, it was sold to the BAW and thus, according to the LM report, established that many British-owned railways in Argentina would run on the broad gauge.

Its obvious fitness for low-speed, short-haul freight duties didn't prevent its heading the parade when the BAW was opened on 29 August 1857, pulling five passenger coaches.

The locomotive ran for another 33 years, chiefly between Liniers and the plaza Misere . It was retired in 1890. In 1957 it raised steam for a trip to Museo del Transporte de Luján.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
ClassLa Portena
Locobase ID10715
RailroadBuenos Aires Western
CountryArgentina
Whyte0-4-0ST
Number in Class1
Road Numbers1
Gauge5'6"
Number Built1
BuilderManning Wardle
Year1854
Valve GearStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)33,600 / 15,241
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)33,600 / 15,241
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)28 / 14
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)48 / 1219
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)150 / 1030
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)10" x 15" / 254x381 (3)
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)5977 / 2711.12
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 5.62
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)52 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m) 8.79 / 2.68
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)32.75 / 3.04
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)319 / 29.65
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)319 / 29.65
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume155.97
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation
Same as above plus superheater percentage
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area4913
Power L12832
Power MT371.64

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