Central Palma / Central Patria / Central Portugalete / Central Progreso / Central Providencia / Central Purio 2-6-0 Locomotives in Cuba


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 1 (Locobase 12727)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 27, p. 156. Works number was 24846 in December 1904.

Little Moguls were a frequent vehicle for pulling the cane cars around a Cuban sugar plantation. This wood-burner went to the Compania Azucarera de Guines. It was soon sold in 1907 to Mexico's FC de Atlamaxac, possibly because it was too small and was to be replaced by the 2; see Locobase 12728.

When the Mexicano took over the Atlamaxac, it renumbered this little engine #4.


Class 1 (Locobase 14375)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 54, p. 99+. Works numbers were 42562-42563 in October 1915.

Very few plantation Moguls were superheated as these were and their difference is heightened by their use of wood fuel and the classic Radley & Hunter spark-arresting stack. 1 and 2 were ordered by the Sociedad Agricola de Moron and delivered were sent to the Central Patria in Havana Province.

See Locobase 14376 for the other three SAM engines that went to Central Palma at the other end of the island.


Class 1 (Locobase 15351)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 78, pp. 40+. Works number were 58654-58655 in September 1925.

Another pair of standard Baldwin oil-burning plantation Moguls, the 1 and 2 headed for Cárdenas in Matanzas Province where they worked for most of the next 60 years. After the 1959 Revolucion and expropriation, both were renumbered (1530-1531). 1531 remained with the sugar central, which was renamed for JosT Smith Comas. 1530 originally served the Complejo Agro Cárdenas, but returned to the JosT Smith Comas later.


Class 2 (Locobase 14376)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 54, p. 99+ and Volume 72, pp. 43+.. Works numbers were 42966 in February 1916, 44284 in October, 44601 in December, and 57921 in July 1924..

Very few plantation Moguls were superheated as these were. The 2 was delivered as a wood-burner with the unmistakeable Radley & Hunter balloon stack, but a note in the 1916 entry states that it was to be easily convertible to coal firing, but a later addition reports that the locomotive was converted to oil firing in 1919. The order for 3 and 4, on the other hand, notes that although they would be delivered as coal burners with straight stacks, the locomotives would be readily convertible to wood-burning.

The 6, on the other hand, was delivered as an oil burner. This required a larger tender weighing 92,000 lb (41,731 kg) that carried 2,000 US gallons (7,570 litres). Total engine weight was a little less at 93,500 lb (42,411 kg).

All were ordered by the Sociedad Agricola de Moron and delivered to the Central Palma in Palma Soriano (near Santiago de Cuba) near the eastern end of the island.


Class 4 (Locobase 14172)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 49, p. 38. Works number was 40804 in November 1913.

This small Mogul was ordered for this sugar central by Czarnikow-Rionda.


Class 5 (Locobase 14365)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 54, p. 58. Works number was 43122 in March 1916.

Included in the specifications for this plantation Mogul was a twice-stated admonition not to exceed the weight on the drivers. In one instance, the author cites "spongy track", which speaks of the sketchy right-of-way on which 40 lb/yard (20 kg/metre) rail was laid.


Class Babita (Locobase 13839)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 39, pp.170-173 and Vol 44, p. 302. Works numbers were 33535 in July 1909, 36776 in August 1911, and 38458 in October 1912.

Also known as Ingenio Portugalete, this sugar refiner took delivery of these little Moguls to run on the 8 1/8-mile road from the mill to the junction with the Cuban Central. The Babita arrived first in 1909 as CP #3. Don Sotero arrived two years later as the CP #4 and the 5 a year later.


Class Consuelo (Locobase 14847)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Vol 64, p. 99. Works number was 52514 in November 1919.

Matanzas Province hosted more than two dozen sugar mills. The Progreso operated at Progreso about 6 miles (9.7 km) from the port of Cárdenas. The port is about 175 km (109 miles) east along the north coast of Cuba from Havana. This plantation Mogul burned heavy Tampico oil (as did many small oil-burners) and negoitated curves with radii of 112 feet (34.1 metres).

After the 1959 Revolucion and expropriation, the Progreso was renamed for JosT Smith Comas. By then, the Consuelo had been sold to the Central Mercedita. When the CM was renamed for Gregorio Arlee Manalich, the 1 was renumbered 1402.


Class Maria Luisa (Locobase 11710)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines, 1890, as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Vol 16, p. 135. Works number was 11277 in October 1890.

This little Mogul was ordered by Krajewski & Pesant, a broker that bought locomotives for several sugar railroads in Cuba. It was identical to the 1889 engine described in Locobase 11638. The 8-km (5-mile) CP laid 25 lb/yard rail over which it operated 2 locomotives, one from Baldwin and one from Rogers.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class11124
Locobase ID12727 14375 15351 14376 14172
RailroadCentral ProvidenciaCentral PatriaCentral ProgresoCentral PalmaCentral Purio
CountryCubaCubaCubaCubaCuba
Whyte2-6-02-6-02-6-02-6-02-6-0
Number in Class12241
Road Numbers11-21-2 / 1530-15312-4, 64
Gauge2'6"StdStdStd2'6"
Number Built12241
BuilderBurnham, Williams & CoBaldwinBaldwinBaldwinBaldwin
Year19041915192519161911
Valve GearStephensonWalschaertWalschaertWalschaertWalschaert
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m) 8.33 / 2.5414.50 / 4.4211.50 / 3.5114.50 / 4.42 7.25 / 2.21
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)14.33 / 4.3721.83 / 6.6519.33 / 5.8921.83 / 6.6513.92 / 4.24
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.58 0.66 0.59 0.66 0.52
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)45.25 / 13.7945.37 / 13.8345.25 / 13.7937.81 / 11.52
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)29,000 / 13,15477,000 / 34,92797,000 / 43,99977,000 / 34,92744,500 / 20,185
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)35,500 / 16,10394,000 / 42,638114,000 / 51,71094,000 / 42,63852,500 / 23,814
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)20,000 / 907280,000 / 36,28766,000 / 29,93780,000 / 36,28740,000 / 18,144
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)55,500 / 25,175174,000 / 78,925180,000 / 81,647174,000 / 78,92592,500 / 41,958
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)1000 / 3.794000 / 15.153000 / 11.364000 / 15.152000 / 7.58
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)1200 / 454265 / 5
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)16 / 843 / 21.5054 / 2743 / 21.5025 / 12.50
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)36 / 91450 / 127052 / 132150 / 127037 / 940
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)150 / 1030180 / 1240175 / 1210180 / 1240160 / 1100
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)11" x 16" / 279x40616" x 24" / 406x61018" x 24" / 457x61016" x 24" / 406x61013" x 18" / 330x457
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)6857 / 3110.2918,801 / 8528.0022,244 / 10089.7218,801 / 8528.0011,181 / 5071.62
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.23 4.10 4.36 4.10 3.98
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)94 - 1.5" / 3889 - 2" / 51219 - 2" / 5189 - 2" / 51109 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)12 - 5.375" / 13712 - 5.375" / 137
Flue/Tube length (ft / m) 7.73 / 2.3610.42 / 3.1811 / 3.3510.42 / 3.1811.87 / 3.62
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)41.37 / 3.8497 / 9.01103 / 9.5797 / 9.0150 / 4.65
Grate Area (sq ft / m2) 7.30 / 0.6815.50 / 1.4421.30 / 1.9815.50 / 1.4411 / 1.02
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)323 / 30.02753 / 69.961355 / 125.93753 / 69.96723 / 67.17
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)136 / 12.63136 / 12.63
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)323 / 30.02889 / 82.591355 / 125.93889 / 82.59723 / 67.17
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume183.54134.82191.69134.82261.46
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation10952790372827901760
Same as above plus superheater percentage10953209372832091760
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area620620,07918,02520,0798000
Power L127106612401266123472
Power MT618.05567.93273.55567.93516.03

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class5BabitaConsueloMaria Luisa
Locobase ID14365 13839 14847 11710
RailroadCentral ProvidenciaCentral PortugaleteCentral ProgresoCentral Portugalete
CountryCubaCubaCubaCuba
Whyte2-6-02-6-02-6-02-6-0
Number in Class1311
Road Numbers53-51 / 14021
Gauge2'6"2'6"Std2'6"
Number Built1311
BuilderBaldwinBaldwinBaldwinBurnham, Parry, Williams & Co
Year1916191119201890
Valve GearWalschaertStephensonStephensonStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m) 8.33 / 2.549 / 2.74 9.50 / 2.90 7.75 / 2.36
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)14.33 / 4.3715 / 4.5717 / 5.1813.50 / 4.11
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.58 0.60 0.56 0.57
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)35.31 / 10.7644.27 / 13.49
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)34,000 / 15,42232,400 / 14,69683,700 / 37,96624,000 / 10,886
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)39,000 / 17,69038,800 / 17,59999,200 / 44,99630,000 / 13,608
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)28,000 / 12,70124,000 / 10,88683,000 / 37,648
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)67,000 / 30,39162,800 / 28,485182,200 / 82,644
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)1400 / 5.301200 / 4.554000 / 15.15700 / 2.65
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)3 / 32000 / 7570
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)19 / 9.5018 / 947 / 23.5013 / 6.50
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)38 / 96536 / 91450 / 127033 / 838
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)160 / 1100140 / 970170 / 1170130 / 900
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)12" x 16" / 305x40612" x 16" / 305x40617" x 24" / 432x61010" x 16" / 254x406
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)8246 / 3740.337616 / 3454.5620,045 / 9092.275358 / 2430.35
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.12 4.25 4.18 4.48
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)110 - 1.5" / 38119 - 1.5" / 38206 - 2" / 5179 - 1.5" / 38
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m) 7.73 / 2.36 8.25 / 2.5111 / 3.35 7.25 / 2.21
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)45 / 4.1847.30 / 4.3995 / 8.8331 / 2.88
Grate Area (sq ft / m2) 7.30 / 0.688 / 0.7419.30 / 1.79 6.50 / 0.60
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)376 / 34.93432 / 40.131272 / 118.22256 / 23.79
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)376 / 34.93432 / 40.131272 / 118.22256 / 23.79
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume179.53206.26201.74176.01
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation116811203281845
Same as above plus superheater percentage116811203281845
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area7200662216,1504030
Power L12908268139252020
Power MT565.68547.28310.15556.67

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