Giradot-Tolima-Huila 2-8-8-2 Locomotives in Colombia


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 58 (Locobase 3252)

Some data from narrowmind.railfan.net reproduction of photo and data table. See also DeGolyer, Volume 79, pp. 741+. Works number was 61834 in February 1935.

The Baldwin specs for this big articulated tank characterize it as partner to the earlier pair of articulated tanks described in Locobase 4420. The biggest difference was the adoption of a superheater in this engine. The specs show that it was intended to negotiate curves with radii of 72 metres (236 feet) or 24 degrees and scale 4 1/2% grades on 60 lb/yard (30 kg/metre) rail. The engine had a long wheelbase. Its cylinders were fed by 8" (203 mm) piston valves with 5" (127 mm) of travel.

A note in the specifications concerns the equalizing pipe that allowed water to move from one side tank to another, which the operator found in the 20-21 to be too small in diameter. A larger pipe "...is required as customer complains that time is lost in filling tanks, as it takes too long for the water to flow from one side to the other, due to the small section of equalizing pipe.")

It was renumbered from 58 to 72 before delivery and acquired 171 when it was taken into the Ferrocarriles Nacionales de Colombia. After a relatively short career in both freight and passenger operation between Bogota and Ibaque, the 171 suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion. The cause was described as "low water", probably in conjunction with a steep grade which exposed the crown sheet.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class58
Locobase ID3252
RailroadGiradot-Tolima-Huila
CountryColombia
Whyte2-8-8-2T
Number in Class1
Road Numbers72/171
Gauge3'
Number Built1
BuilderBaldwin
Year1935
Valve GearWalschaert
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)23.50 / 7.16
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)53.92 / 16.43
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)32,480 / 14,733
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)249,450 / 113,149
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)288,450 / 130,839
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)70,500 / 31,978
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)358,950 / 162,817
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)4000 / 15.15
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)1000 / 3785
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)52 / 26
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)40 / 1016
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)208.90 / 1440
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)17" x 22" / 432x559 (4)
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)56,448 / 25604.41
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.42
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)133 - 2.25" / 57
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)26 - 5.5" / 140
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)21 / 6.40
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)162 / 15.06
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)51 / 4.74
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)2584 / 240.15
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)656 / 60.97
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)3240 / 301.12
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume223.55
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation10,654
Same as above plus superheater percentage12,785
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area40,610
Power L111,202
Power MT792.02

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