Central Senado 0-6-4 Locomotives in Cuba

Class Florinda (Locobase 14174)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 49, p. 42. See also Cesar J Ayala, American sugar kingdom: the plantation economy of the Spanish Caribbean 1898-1934 (University of North Carolina Press, 1999). Works number was 40678 in September 1913.

For whatever reason, the CS commissioned the Mosle Brothers to buy this unusual tank. Most tank locomotives in the sugar-plantation service either trailed tenders or rolled on two axles with a trailing axle or three axles with a balanced front truck-rear truck layout (i.e. a 2-6-2). Perhaps the design was prompted by the desire to carry as much water on the engine as possible, as the Florinda mounted a 600 US gallon (2,271 litres) saddle tank over the boiler and a 400 US gallon (1,514 litres) on an extension of the rear frame.