0-6-4 Steam Locomotives in India

Punjab Public Works Department


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class unknown (Locobase 15290)

Data from DeGolyer, Volume 72, pp. 286 as updated by Baldwin Locomotive Works, "0-6-4 Type Locomotive, Class 10-28-1/2 D. 1, Built for Punjab Public Works Department. (India)", Negative 8798. See also the discussion under a photo provided in Flickr at [], last accessed 20 April 2025. (Thanks to Alex Blessing for his 4 April 2025 email that provided the Negative and led to the changes noted below.) Works number 56324 was in March 1923.

Locobase can't say much about this unusual construction tank engine except that it weighed nearly the same as an early Vulcan Foundry class that came to the East Indian in 1904 (Locobase 6283). The Punjab locomotive had a bigger boiler and grate and was pressed to a higher degree.

The specifications required that the locomotive be able to negotiate a 16 degree curve (radius of 359 feet/109.5 metres) and be able to pull a load of 235 tons up a 2 1/2% grade for a mile (1.6 km).

Apparently the color scheme proposed by the PPWD demanded close attention. Although spelled out in detail in the specs, all of the details were lined out and replaced with a notation that the buyer would paint the locomotive after delivery.

Baldwin's Negative (prepared after construction completion) reveals a tube length growth of 5" (127 mm), which increased tube heating surface by 60 sq ft (5.57 sq m) from 1,420 ft (131.92 sq m) in Baldwin's original specs. Adhesion weight dropped by 7,200 lb (3,266 kg) from an estimated 107,000 lb (48,534 kg). Given the slight growth in engine weight, Locobase believes the rear bogie bore an additional 8,200 lb (3,719 kg) compared to the estimate.

Several comments on the Flicker entry remarked on the tiny cab and intrusive coal bunker as likely to have presented a very hot working environment.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Classunknown
Locobase ID15290
RailroadPunjab Public Works Department
CountryIndia
Whyte0-6-4T
Number in Class1
Road Numbers
Gauge5'6"
Number Built1
BuilderBaldwin
Year1923
Valve GearWalschaert
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)9 / 2.74
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)22.50 / 6.86
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.40
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)22.50 / 6.86
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)35,840 / 16,257
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)99,800 / 45,269
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)153,000 / 69,400
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)2400 / 9.09
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT) 2.24 / 2
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)55 / 27.50
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)42 / 1067
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)180 / 1230
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)17" x 24" / 432x610
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)25,267 / 11460.93
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 3.95
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)244 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)10.67 / 3.25
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)128 / 11.89
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)27 / 2.51
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1480 / 137.50
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1480 / 137.50
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume234.73
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation4860
Same as above plus superheater percentage4860
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area23,040
Power L14237
Power MT280.79

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