Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Vol 78, p. 102+. Works numbers were 59402-59403 in August 1926.
The FC del Pacifico's clearances provided a tight fit for these superheated Consolidations, which were ticketed for both passenger and freight service. Total wheelbase of the engine and tender were to be no more than 43 feet--these came in at 1/2" (12.7 mm) less. Details "wherever possible" were to be the same as those in the 1924 Moguls shown in Locobase 15259. Even the superheater was to be interchangeable "as far as practicable" with that pair.
For their size and weight, the 21s were pretty powerful, although their boilers were a bit small for any prolonged steaming. Eight-inch (203 mm) piston valves admitted the superheated vapor to the cylinders. The unusually large amount of coal planned as a tenderload was accommodated through the use of an extra high collar on an already tender that also had its water capacity increased. An additional fueling detail--"Provision to be made for heaping fuel at front of tender"--conjures up the picture of a fireman sliding over lumps of coal as he kept the fire hot.
Although Costa Rica decided to electrify the Pacifico in 1930, the 21-22 weren't sold to Nicaragua's Pacifico until 1938. Renumbered 31-32, the two Consolidations operated in Nicaragua until at least the 1950s.
| Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media | |
|---|---|
| Class | 21 |
| Locobase ID | 15361 |
| Railroad | FC al Pacifico |
| Country | Costa Rica |
| Whyte | 2-8-0 |
| Number in Class | 2 |
| Road Numbers | 21-22 / 31-32 |
| Gauge | 3'6" |
| Number Built | 2 |
| Builder | Baldwin |
| Year | 1926 |
| Valve Gear | Walschaert |
| Locomotive Length and Weight | |
| Driver Wheelbase (ft / m) | 12 / 3.66 |
| Engine Wheelbase (ft / m) | 19.33 / 5.89 |
| Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase | 0.62 |
| Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m) | 42.96 / 13.09 |
| Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg) | |
| Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg) | 92,000 / 41,731 |
| Engine Weight (lbs / kg) | 102,000 / 46,266 |
| Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg) | 61,000 / 27,669 |
| Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg) | 163,000 / 73,935 |
| Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML) | 2500 / 9.47 |
| Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT) | 7 |
| Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m) | 38 / 19 |
| Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort | |
| Driver Diameter (in / mm) | 42 / 1067 |
| Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa) | 180 / 1240 |
| High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm) | 17" x 22" / 432x559 |
| Tractive Effort (lbs / kg) | 23,161 / 10505.67 |
| Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) | 3.97 |
| Heating Ability | |
| Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm) | 100 - 2" / 51 |
| Flues (number - dia) (in / mm) | 18 - 5.375" / 137 |
| Flue/Tube length (ft / m) | 11 / 3.35 |
| Firebox Area (sq ft / m2) | 112 / 10.41 |
| Grate Area (sq ft / m2) | 18.30 / 1.70 |
| Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2) | 961 / 89.28 |
| Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2) | 210 / 19.51 |
| Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2) | 1171 / 108.79 |
| Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume | 166.27 |
| Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information) | |
| Robert LeMassena's Power Computation | 3294 |
| Same as above plus superheater percentage | 3887 |
| Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area | 23,789 |
| Power L1 | 7436 |
| Power MT | 712.76 |