Central Vertientes / Central Violeta / Central Vitoria 2-8-0 Locomotives in Cuba

Class 11 (Locobase 15355)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Vol 78, pp. 61+. Works numbers were 58537-58540 in July 1925 and 59446 in August 1926.

About the only unusual feature of this order, one of several dozen for the standard Baldwin oil-burning plantation Consolidation design, was the inclusion of four locomotives in a single order. Sent to the namesake town in Camagney Province, the engines were then about 535 km (332.2 miles) southeast of Havana and a little southwest of the town of Camagney itself. General Sugar Company, parent of the CV, ordered a sister a year later.

The histories of 11, 14, and 19 after their arrivals says nothing about future use. 12 went to the Central Washington in Villa Clara Province, which was renamed for General George Washington after the 1959 Revolucion and expropriation. 12 then took road number 1751 (shame it couldn't have been 1732 or 1789). 13 was sold to the Central Santa Rosa, also in Villa Clara (formerly Las Villas) Province. This Central was renamed Diez de Octubre, at which point 13 was renumbered 1661.

Class 5 (Locobase 14889)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 64, p 211. See also Reinaldo Funes Monzote, From Rainforest to Cane Field in Cuba: An Environmental History Since 1492 ( University of North Carolina Press, 2008). Works number was 54051 in November 1920.

Baldwin supplied this superheated oil-burning Consolidation design to plantations that wanted more power on light rail (45 lb/yard//22.5 kg/metre). The superheater meant piston valves (these of 9 1/2" or 241 mm) and the relatively high boiler pressure ensured good tractive effort to start with. In this particular locomotive's specification, Baldwin and the buyer went into considerable detail on exactly how the oil-burning systew was to work.

The CV originally was erected in Santa Clara Province in 1916, but was relocated to Camagney Province near Ciego de -vila. It had curves of a relatively moderate 18 degrees (radii of 315.8 feet/30.1 metres). The CV was leased, along with the Jagueyal. Lugareno, Moron, and Stewart, from the Cuba Cane Sugar Corporation by the Eastern Cuba Sugar Corporation.

Monzote notes that this was one sign of the complete conversion of natural terrain in the Plain of Northern Camguey-Maiabon to sugar production. By 1940, sugar would control 4,476 sq km of the region's 4,937 sq km, or 90%. CV increased its capacity from 100,000 bags (of 325 lb/147.4 kg) when it first opened to 600,000 bags in 1929.

In 1936, Eastern Cuba Sugar would be reorganized in 1936 as Central Violeta Sugar Company.

After the 1959 Revolucion and nationalization, the CV was renamed for Ruben Martinez Villena. It was later renamed Primero de Enero (1st of January). The 5 was renumbered 1605.

Class 5 (Locobase 14434)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Vol 54, p. 170. Works number was 46255 in September 1917.

The sugar mill for which this plantation Consolidation operated had 40 lb/yard (20 kg/metre) rail (which the specs note, 3 1/2% maximum grades that were combined with curve radii of 100 metres (328 feet) or 17 1/2 degrees, and minimum curve radii of 75 metres (246 ft) or 23 1/2 degrees.

5 was to be an adaptable 2-8-0. Its firebox was to able to burn coal or wood. Baldwin also noted that the 5 was to be convertible from 27 1/2" (here rendered as 70 cm) to 36" (914 mm). So all of the wheels on the locomotive and tender, which were already inside the frames, were moved in on the axles and held in place by a collar placed between each hub and its associated axle box.

The 5 was later sold to the Caibarien & Moron Railway, which kept the road number 5.

Class 6 (Locobase 14435)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Vol 64, p. 217; and Vol 64, p. 220. Works numbers were 53064 in March 1920 and 53990 in November.

Between the delivery of the 5 in 1917 and the addition of these two duplicates in 1920, weight had increased by almost 10%; they also now burned oil. Otherwise the two outside-frame locomotives were identical. This meant that, like the 5, their fireboxes was to able to burn coal or oil. They were also convertible from 27 1/2" (here rendered as 70 cm) to 36" (914 mm). So all of the wheels on the locomotive and tender, which were already inside the frames, were moved in on the axles and held in place by a collar placed between each hub and its associated axle box.

The 7 was sold to the Caibarien & Moron, which retained the engine's road number. After the 1959 Revolucion and nationalization, the central was renamed for Simon Bolivar and the 6 was renumbered 1361.