Guantanamo & Western 2-8-0 Locomotives in Cuba


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 14 (Locobase 13727)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 44, p. 314. Works numbers were 38829 in November 1911.

Locobase 13059 describes the somewhat sketchy beginnings of this eastern Cuban road. The G & W was formed in 1909 (under the laws of Maine, apparently the Delaware of its day in terms of friendly incorporation regulations) and gathered the pillaged properties of the Cuba Eastern, Northeastern Cuba, Cuba Eastern Terminals Company, and the Eastern Railroad of Cuba. Its main line left Boqueron and headed up the east side of Guantanmo Bay before turning west to San Justo, thence to La Maya and San Luis, located due north of Santiago de Cuba.


Class 16 (Locobase 14473)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolye Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 54, pp. 201, 205. Works numbers were 42229-42230 in August 1915, 43720-43722 in July 1916, and 52098 in July 1919.

Locobase 13727 shows the one saturated-boiler Consolidation that preceded this clutch of superheated plantation Consolidations.

At the time of Mergent Moody's (no relation to Mad Eye) assessment in 1917, the road had 10 locomotives and more than half were these Consolidations, Of a size and layout identical to some of Baldwin's North American logging 2-8-0s, this set served a common carrier that linked with the Cuba Railroad at San Luis.


Class 22 (Locobase 14474)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 66, p. 36 and 40. Works number was 53699 in September 1920.

After buying several superheated plantation Consolidations (Locobase 14473), the G & W returned to Baldwin after World War One to buy a saturated-boiler engine. The 22 had 11" (279 mm) piston valves. This oil-burner served on the Occidental.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class141622
Locobase ID13727 14473 14474
RailroadGuantanamo & WesternGuantanamo & WesternGuantanamo & Western
CountryCubaCubaCuba
Whyte2-8-02-8-02-8-0
Number in Class662
Road Numbers1416-2122
GaugeStdStdStd
Number Built662
BuilderBaldwinBaldwinBaldwin
Year191119151919
Valve GearStephensonWalschaertWalschaert
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)14.50 / 4.4214.50 / 4.4214.50 / 4.42
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)22 / 6.7122 / 6.7122 / 6.71
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.66 0.66 0.66
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)49.75 / 15.1652.21 / 15.9154.85 / 16.72
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)115,200 / 52,254118,000 / 53,524118,000 / 53,524
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)130,800 / 59,330136,000 / 61,689134,000 / 60,781
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)100,000 / 45,359100,000 / 45,359130,000 / 58,967
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)230,800 / 104,689236,000 / 107,048264,000 / 119,748
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)5000 / 18.945000 / 18.946000 / 22.73
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)10 / 910 / 92500 / 9463
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)48 / 2449 / 24.5049 / 24.50
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)50 / 127050 / 127050 / 1270
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)180 / 1240180 / 1240180 / 1240
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)20" x 24" / 508x61020" x 24" / 508x61020" x 24" / 508x610
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)29,376 / 13324.7529,376 / 13324.7529,376 / 13324.75
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 3.92 4.02 4.02
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)241 - 2" / 51128 - 2" / 51241 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)18 - 5.375" / 137
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)13 / 3.9612.75 / 3.8912.75 / 3.89
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)142 / 13.19142 / 13.19142 / 13.20
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)30.30 / 2.8129.70 / 2.7629.60 / 2.75
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1772 / 164.621312 / 121.891740 / 161.71
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)258 / 23.97
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1772 / 164.621570 / 145.861740 / 161.71
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume203.06150.34199.39
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation545453465328
Same as above plus superheater percentage545462015328
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area25,56029,65025,560
Power L1426674674211
Power MT326.56558.03314.70

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