Central do Brasil 2-6-2 Locomotives in Brazil


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 450 (Locobase 20542)

Data from Lionel Wiener, "Les Chemins de Fer Du Bresil", Revue Generale des Chemins de Fer et des Tramways, Volume 42, 1 Semestre (Janvier 1923), pp. 16-17. (Thanks to Teemu Koivumaki whose 2023 email included a comprehensive spreadsheet of Brazilian steam locomotive builders, works numbers, and owners. Works numbers were 3392-3401, 3407-3412 in 1913.

Introducing this mixed-traffic engine, Wiener commented that "suburban traffic in Rio is dense." Double-tracking hadn't delivered the desired decongestion as demand grew rapidly. Electrification was on the books, but perhaps always would be. In any event, the longer trains demanded more powerful locomotives.

This design was both powerful, well-endowed with heating surface and grate areas, yet "supple" owing to a rigid wheelbase of only 1.7 metres (5 ft 7 in) using Maffei's bogie design of lead truck and lead coupled axle traverse. It could get around 58 metre curves and hit 70 kph (43.5 mph). The 450s had a very "North American" look that included a full cab, but its dome and sandbox were hidden in a breadloaf casing..

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class450
Locobase ID20542
RailroadCentral do Brasil (EFCB)
CountryBrazil
Whyte2-6-2
Number in Class6
Road Numbers450-465
Gauge5'3"
Number Built16
BuilderMaffei
Year1913
Valve GearStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)11.48 / 3.50
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)27.89 / 8.50
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.41
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)152,119 / 69,000
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)79,366 / 36,000
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)231,485 / 105,000
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)3432 / 13
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT) 5.50 / 5
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)62 / 1575
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)179.80 / 1240
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)23.62" x 25.98" / 600x660
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)35,729 / 16206.42
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort)
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)139.93 / 13
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)41.44 / 3.85
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1959 / 182
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)517 / 48
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)2476 / 230
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume148.68
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation7451
Same as above plus superheater percentage9016
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area30,443
Power L110,310
Power MT

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