2-6-2 Steam Locomotives in Mexico

Class 12 (Locobase 13181)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 31, p. 49. Works number was 31854 in October 1907.

Five years after Baldwin delivered a pair of small narrow-gauge Prairie tanks (Locobase 10783), the Cananea went back to the builder for a saddle tank of about double the size and power for its now Standard-gauge system. Rail weights ranged between 50 and 65 lb/yard (25-32.5 kg/metre) and the maximum grade still climbed at a lofty 4% while at other points the railroad achieved curve radii of 30 degrees.

Class 3 (Locobase 10783)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works, Record of Recent Construction ((1903), No. 35, p. 194-195; and DeGolyer, Volume 24, p. 147. See also [in Spanish] Gustavo Martinez Moreno, LOS FERROCARRILES EN CANANEA (Parte I), posted 16 August 2016 in the Cronicas de Cananea blog at [], last accessed 16 December 2025.Works numbers were 20486-20487 in May 1902.

In its Record, Baldwin underscores the difficult conditions under which these engine were intended to work: "85 per cent of the road is curved. None of the curves are less than 30 degrees. The maximum grade is 5 per cent and the sharpest curve 54 degrees. The speed is less than 13 miles per hour." Rail weight came to 45 lb/yard (22.5 kg/metre) and the spec advised that it was "rough track.".

Baldwin's solution were these tiny-drivered tanks with outside frames and short rigid wheelbase. An 21 November 1901 letter from E A McFarland referred to in the specs brought up a key operational consideration: "Engines are used as double enders continuously." As a result, a note in the specifications commands: "Give particular attention to the equalization and swing of trucks." The specs also discuss some shortcomings of some H K Porter locomotives.

Cananea lies in Sonora and was the hub of the Cananea copper mines. These mines were the focus of the infamous 1906 Cananea strike that featured a battle between a posse that included Arizona Rangers and the strikers. 23 were killed.

Class 9 (Locobase 13688)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Baldwin Locomotive Works, Volume 35, p. 319. Works number was 35028 in August 1910.

Locobase 13181 describes the earlier standard-gauge Prairie saddle tank locomotive #12 supplied by the Eddystone, PA builder. Three years later, Cananea Consolidated ordered a narrow-gauge equivalent from the same source.

The "extra heavy" outside-framed 9 offered less cylinder volume than the 12, but slightly higher boiler pressure and 6" (152 mm) smaller drivers . Altogether, the 2/3s engine's nearly matched that of he 12 and considerably exceeded the CCCC's earlier pair of Prairie saddle-tanks (Locobase 10783).

Baldwin's specification sheet shows the special interest taken by the CCCC in the equalizing pipe system. (Such pipes balanced the water in a boiler-mounted tank between the two sides.). "Hereafter" notes dated 8/22/10 read: "Equalizing pipe should be located in bottom of tank and extend straight [emphasized] across. also, consider simplifying things by using feed pipe reservoir to connect the equalizing pipe."-

Other notes:

"Pin in back equalizing beam fulcrum seems too small."

"Rear trucks should be of new design-single link type"

"Consider application of bolt through top and bottom frames just front of cylinders."