FC de Yaguajay 0-6-4 Locomotives in Cuba

Class 1 (Locobase 14436)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 64, p. 215. Works number was 53539 in August 1920.

Locobase has noted in the entry for the 1913 saddle-tank plantation engine delivered to the Central Senado (Locobase 14174) that this wheel arrangement was an unusual blend of three driven axles and two trailing axles and speculated that the design sought to put as much water in the tanks as possible. Here, as in the CS locomotive, the saddle tank held most of the water (700 US gallons or 2,650 litres), supplemented by 200 gallons (757 litres) in the rear tank.

LIke the earlier plantation Consolidation #5 shown in Locobase 14134, the 1 was to be convertible from 27 1/2" (here rendered as 70 cm) to 36" (914 mm). So all of the wheels on the tender and locomotive were moved in on the axles and held in place by a collar placed between each hub and its associated axle box. Using outside frames spaced appropriately undoubtedly made this a simpler task. Although delivered as an oil-burner, the specs declared "details to be arranged so that locomotive can be readily changed to burn coal fuel."

Although bought by the Central Vitoria, the tender was lettered for the Ferrocarril de Yaguajay, which is usually said to be the operator of the railroad known as the Central ViCtoria (see Locobase note in entry 14434).