FC de Caldas 2-6-0 Locomotives in Colombia


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class Isaza (Locobase 15069)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Vol 66, pp. 96+. Works number was 50737 in December 1918.

Traveling on 55 lb/yard (27.5 kg/metre) rail, negotiating curves with radii of 236 feet (71.8 metres), and climbing 2 1/2% grade, this Mogul served the Caldas as similar Baldwins served several other Colombian railways. An additional spec states that the locomotive was to work at an altitude of 6,500 feet (1,980 metres). Although a coal burner, the 2 was equipped with a Radley & Hunter diamond stack to arrest sparks.


Class Isaza (Locobase 15070)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Vol 66, pp. 96+. Works numbers were 53040, 53051 in February 1920.

Apparently the 1917 Baldwin Mogul Isaza (Locobase 15069) wasn't quite enough locomotive for the Caldas' requirements. After World War One, the railway ordered a pair of engines that were bigger, heavier, and more powerful. (This is all relative, of course. The railway still used 55 lb/yard rail gauged at 3 feet and still operated at 6,500 feet in the mountains of Colombia.)

Yet, despite the Isaza's use of coal, these two were delivered as wood burners. Like the 2, the later engines (which may have been 3 and 4 and the latter named Escobar) used spark-arresting stacks, although they were fitted with the Rushton Improved cabbage stack.

Mecke & Company bought the two Moguls for the Caldas. The 4 was sold in 1932 to the Ferrocarril de Pacifico and possibly renumbered 2. The 3 was later sold to the Ferrocarril Ambalema-IbaguT as their #1. This railway began construction in 1921 to link IbaguT, the capital of the Department of Tolima, with La Dorada, which lay at the head of navigation on the lower Magdalena and skirted the rapids on the river between the two. The I-A portion covered 90 km (56 miles).

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
ClassIsazaIsaza
Locobase ID15069 15070
RailroadFC de CaldasFC de Caldas
CountryColombiaColombia
Whyte2-6-02-6-0
Number in Class11
Road Numbers22
Gauge3'3'
Number Built11
BuilderBaldwinBaldwin
Year19181918
Valve GearStephensonStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m) 7.25 / 2.218 / 2.44
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)14.42 / 4.4015.33 / 4.67
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.50 0.52
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)37.58 / 11.4541.37 / 12.61
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)56,900 / 25,80968,200 / 30,935
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)66,200 / 30,02877,500 / 35,153
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)44,000 / 19,95857,000 / 25,855
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)110,200 / 49,986134,500 / 61,008
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)2200 / 8.332500 / 9.47
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)5 / 5
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)32 / 1638 / 19
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)37 / 94040 / 1016
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)165 / 1140170 / 1170
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)14" x 18" / 356x45715" x 18" / 381x457
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)13,373 / 6065.9014,631 / 6636.52
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.25 4.66
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)141 - 2" / 51152 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)12.25 / 3.7313 / 3.96
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)58 / 5.3971 / 6.60
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)12.20 / 1.1317.30 / 1.61
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)956 / 88.811099 / 102.10
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)956 / 88.811099 / 102.10
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume298.09298.52
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation20132941
Same as above plus superheater percentage20132941
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area957012,070
Power L139534476
Power MT459.48434.07

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