4-4-0 Steam Locomotives in Brazil

Class 38/21 (Locobase 12016)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines, 1888, as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Vol 17, 191; and "CPEF - Cia. Paulista de Estradas de Ferro

Locomotivas a vapor 4-4-0 n° 21 a 24" on the Centro Oeste website at [], last accessed 7 July 2025. Works numbers were 12448-12451 in January 1892.

This quartet of Vauclain compounds was rated to pull 185 trailing tons up a 2% grade at 40 km/h (25 mph), which was a pretty impressive requirement for American-type Eight-wheelers on any railway. The piston valves measured 9 3/4" in diameter. A later set of three delivered in 1896 with slightly different specs appear in Locobase 12191.

Sometime after 1896, the Paulista shops removed the compound system, replacing the four cylinders with two simple-expansion 18" x 24" (457 mm x 610 mm) cylinders.

Class 38/21 (Locobase 21255)

Data from "CPEF - Cia. Paulista de Estradas de Ferro

Locomotivas a vapor 4-4-0 n° 21 a 24" on the Centro Oeste website at [], last accessed 7 July 2025.

Originally built as Vauclain compounds (Locobase 12016), this quartet of Eight-wheel American-type locomotives lost their compound setup in favor of the two simple-expansion cylinders shown.

Class 48 (Locobase 12191)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 20, 111. Works numbers were 14754-14756 in March 1896.

This second batch of Eight-wheel American-type Vauclain compounds reproduced many of the specifications used in the first four from 1892 (Locobase 12016). Differences included piston valves measuring 10 1/2" (267 mm) in diameter, longer engine wheelbase, and larger tender.

As with the earlier batch, this trio's compound system was replaced by two 18" x 24" (457 mm x 610 mm) simple-expansion cylinders.