El Sindicato de Obras Públicas 2-6-0 Locomotives in Chile

Class 3 (Locobase 10753)

Data from Charles King, "The Chilian [sic] State Railways," The Railway Magazine (March 1908), pp. 209-214; see also the introductory article in the same journal at February 1908, pp.143-150; and Martin Coombs, "2-6-0 d/w ?, cyls. ?, built by Borsig in 1906-7 for the Sindicato de Obras Públicas.", Chilean steam locomotives lists, Part 3 Metre-Gauge locos (October 2020), pP. 165-166 -available at [], last accessed 25 April 2021. Works numbers were 6010 and 6289.

Martin Coombs explained that several private contractors in Chile formed a syndicate to bid on state construction projects. The SOP succeeded in contracting several parts of the the Ferrocarril Arica - La Paz (FCALP), 18 km of the broad-gauge Rucapehen a Tome line and a similar branch line connecting Pua to Curacautin. However, Coombs noted, the SOP's contracts were suspended in late 1907 for lack of progress on their projects.

A particular requirement for this Mogul design was the ability to negotiate 3-chain (198-ft) curves. One way in which this was accomplished was having the connecting (main) rod drive on the last of the three coupled axles. Steam-raising capability wasn't sacrificed, however, as the small drivers allowed a relatively large firebox to ride above the axles without setting up a high center of gravity. According to King, the resulting engine "...proved to be, for its size, exceedingly powerful and smooth in running." Its principal bailiwicks were the Talca-Constitucion branch and short lines leaving Chanaral.