Central Ramona / Central Rita / Cuba Railroad 2-8-0 Locomotives in Cuba

Class 310 (Locobase 14456)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 66, pp. 31+. Works numbers were 52486-52490, 52529-52532, 52564-52567 in November 1919.

As it neared its peak, the Cuba Railroad had 949 route miles (1,528 km) and 139 locomotives. Although Baldwin apparently was a minor supplier to the company, these Consolidations were relatively big and offered a good measure of superheat. 10" (254 mm) piston valves served the cylinders.

The 312 would later work on the Central Carolina and the 322 went to the Central Conchita.

Class 6 (Locobase 14875)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Vol 64, p. 173. Works number was 54100 in November 1920.

The smaller of the two standard-gauge plantation Consolidation designs sold by Eddystone to sugar mills all across Cuba, this oil-burner had one of the largest tenders trailing behind it. Adopting the bigger fuel supply was one response to the requirement that the 6 be able operate on the United Railways of Havana tracks. Included in the specifications was a not uncommon requirement that "the locomotive can be readily changed to burn coal."

Santa Rita's mill was located at Colón in Matanzas Province. After the 1959 Revolucion and nationalization, the CSR was renamed for Rene Fraga and the 6 renumbered 1618.

Class 75 (Locobase 20197)

Data from Catalogue No. 10036--Locomotives for Export (New York City: American Locomotive Company (April 1910)., pp. 60-61. Works numbers were 46303-46311 in 1909.

This Consolidation's design displayed the "toe-in-the-water" approach to superheating. Boiler pressure was dropped even as a modest amount of superheater area was added to the boiler. Note the nearly square cylinder bore and stroke, which was more common than Locobase had supposed.

Class Domingo Leon (Locobase 14849)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Vol 64, p. 104. Works numbers were 52382-52383, 53290 in September 1919.

The Central Ramona was located at Rancho Veloz in Santa Clara Province. It was a relatively small mill that processed less than 5,000 tons of sugar in a year. Small oil-burning plantation Consolidations helped serve the cane cars that rumbled from field to mill on 40 lb/yard (20 kg/metre) rails.

After the 1959 Revolucion and expropriation, the CR was renamed for General Quintin Banderas.