Engenho Central de Laranjeiras 2-4-0 Locomotives in Brazil

Class Doutor Pericles (Locobase 15387)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 78, pp. 212. See Janafna Botelho, "O Engenho Central Laranjeiras: Uma Linhagem de Usineros", [], last accessed 30 August 2013 (helpfully, if imperfectly, translated by Google). Works number was 58472 in June 1925.

This wood-burning six-wheeler was one of the smallest of the wheel arrangement to be delivered by Baldwin to any buyer. It was named for the attorney (and son of Luiz) Pericles CorrOa da Rocha, who would take over operation of the sugar mill in 1930. It was then that the mill was updated with French-made machinery and improved the reliability of the water supply by building a dam. These efforts allowed Correa de Rocha to make ether and pharmaceutical alcohol and grow acres of casava, legumes, rice, other vegetables, and yams.

Like many other progressively run company towns, the Larangeira supplied workers' homes, a 22-bed hospital and pharmacy, a 300-seat theater. The local economy accepted the Laranjeira's own coins as proper payment.

The 28 km (17.4 miles) of railway used 40 lb/yard (20 kg/metre) track and featured curve radii as tight as 30 metres (98.4 feet). After Correa de Rocha took over the mill, he linked the railway to the Leopoldina, crossing the Rio Negro, heading up to Valpo do Barro in the District Spo Sebastipo do Alto.

Class unknown (Locobase 15163)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Vol 66, pp. 323+. Works number was 52935 in January 1920.

Established about 62 miles (100 km) northeast of Rio de Janeiro in the 19th Century by British owners as the Engheno Central de Rio Negro, the mill gained its later name when Luiz CorrOa da Rocha took over the Central after the Rio Negro went bankrupt in 1896.

This plantation wood-burning six-wheeler was originally ordered by Usina Laranjeria, which underwent a name change before taking delivery. It had the usual Rushton Improved spark-arresting cabbage stack.

The railway connecting this sugar central in Sergipe Province with Spo Sebastipo do Alto was built quickly once the central itself was completed. The latter boasted a medical center, movie theater, and an amusement park. It was during these flush times that this locomotive operated. See more details at Locobase 15387.