Sorocabana 2-8-2 Locomotives in Brazil


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 214 (Locobase 15129)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Vol 66, pp. 278+. Works numbers were 55011-55018 in September 1921.

The specs describe these wood-burning Mikados as duplicates of Alco works numbers 61587 to 61594, "except BLW has option of using their own design where efficiency of locomotive may be improved." This stipulation was immediately modified by the proviso that "wearing parts, including engine and tender trucks, must be made interchangeable with Alco locomotives."

Relatively ample 10" (254 mm) piston valves supplied steam to the cylinders. The tender held 2 1/2 cords of wood.

Another note in the specs says that these locomotives were to be used for exhibition purposes, but leaves Locobase tantalized by the lack of information as to where and when such displays might have occurred.


Class 250 (Locobase 15273)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University,Volume 72, pp. 145+. Works numbers were 58121-58130, 58146-58150 in December 1924.

These bi-fuel (coal or wood) Mikados were ordered from Baldwin three years after that builder supplied very similar engines with saturated boilers (Locobase 15129). Indeed, the order specified that parts be interchangeable between the two batches "as much as possible."

Like the five Pacifics ordered at the same time (Locobase 15272), the new engines had 10" (254 mm) piston valves to admit steam to the cylinders and the firebox was manufactured with a goal of adding two arch tubes to support a brick arch in the future.

Three "Hereafter" entries reveal that the Sorocabana wasn't fully pleased with the locomotives as delivered. The 9 May 1925 note recommends using an iron casting for the grate support as the "steel bar gets hot and bends". Also the side grate bar supports and end dead plate needed to be strengthened to prevent the breakage seen in these engines.

Two weeks later on 23 May, a second entry added more information: "Grate bars supporting the drop plate and centre [sic] section broke at socket for grate support and the support itself bent." The note requested strengthening supporting bar patterns 216363 and 216364 and to use a deep case iron support instead of steel bar. (Locobase repeats some of this information to show the level of detail required properly to support a steam locomotive built by a major company.)

On 21 October 1925, a note suggested adding swab cups and oil cups to the valve rod packing and relocating the shoulder on the valve yoke 1/4" (6.25 mm) from the face of the valve rod crosshead. (Probably meant to decrease the chance of contact between the two.)

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class214250
Locobase ID15129 15273
RailroadSorocabanaSorocabana
CountryBrazilBrazil
Whyte2-8-22-8-2
Number in Class815
Road Numbers214-221250-264
GaugeMetreMetre
Number Built815
BuilderBaldwinBaldwin
Year19211924
Valve GearWalschaertWalschaert
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)12 / 3.6612 / 3.66
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)26.17 / 7.9826.17 / 7.98
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.46 0.46
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)49.25 / 15.0149.25 / 15.01
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)26,448 / 11,99730,864 / 14,000
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)96,000 / 43,545106,000 / 48,081
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)127,000 / 57,606136,000 / 61,689
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)66,500 / 30,16464,500 / 29,257
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)193,500 / 87,770200,500 / 90,946
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)2600 / 9.852642 / 10.01
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT) 5.50 / 5
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)40 / 2044 / 22
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)41.73 / 106041.75 / 1060
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)180 / 1240180 / 1240
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)19" x 20" / 483x50819" x 20" / 483x508
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)26,472 / 12007.5126,459 / 12001.61
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 3.63 4.01
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)242 - 2" / 51130 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)21 - 5.375" / 137
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)15 / 4.5715 / 4.57
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)104 / 9.66104 / 9.66
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)30.20 / 2.8130.20 / 2.81
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1994 / 185.251560 / 144.93
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)350 / 32.52
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1994 / 185.251910 / 177.45
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume303.82237.69
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation54365436
Same as above plus superheater percentage54366414
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area18,72022,090
Power L147959981
Power MT440.46830.35

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