Rede Mineira de Viacao 4-6-2 Locomotives in Brazil

Class 339 (Locobase 6706)

Data from [] (last accessed 29 December 2009).

According to Jose Carlos Menezes' account 'O construtor das locomotivas de Divinopolis', published in the journal Central-Oeste no 4 (March 1985), these locomotives were developed on the railway when World War II dried up imports of engines from such sources as Baldwin or Alco in the USA.

The RMV took the then-drastic step of designing and building this pair in its own shops. The first try, rendered by the chief engineer, was predicted by its chief mechanic, Joao Morato, to fail. Sure enough, the locomotive, produced in 60 days, proved a "fiasco" when the locomotive was unable to move itself and its tender alone. The railway then allowed Joao Morato a "blank sheet". Morato responded by making over the failed engine, which resulted in the 339, a Pacific that worked. After tests showed the locomotive would deliver on its promise, Morato demonstrated a certain level of showmanship by moving the 339 to a neighboring city, coupling to the head of the overnight express and running triumphantly into Divinopolis.

Only two in the class were produced (because the supply problem eased?) and they served on southern and western lines. 3309 blew up its boiler in 1955, an accident attributed to poor maintenance. 340 saw out steam in 1965.