0-6-0 Steam Locomotives in Mexico

M Guggenheim's Sons


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 5 (Locobase 9981)

Data from "Dickson's Saddle Tank Locomotive," Locomotive Engineering (December 1900), pg 543. See also Erik Loomis, "Erik Visits an American Grave, Part 1,454" posted on Lawyers Guns Money blog, October 9, 2023 at [], last accessed 13 December 2025. JF Webber's list of Dickson locomotives (conveyed to Locobase by Allen Stanley in March 2004) gives the works number as 1183 in September 1900.

This robust little engine had a big saddle tank draped over a relatively slender boiler. It was one of the biggest six-coupled tanks in heating surface area at the time.

The 5 went to Mexico to serve Daniel Guggenheim's smelting operations in that country's copper region. (Daniel was one of the sons of Meyer Guggenheim. At the time of this purchase, according to Erik Loomis's post, Meyer's empire was the leading smelting operator in the world. In Mexico, he controlled 20% of silver and 40% of lead.)

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class5
Locobase ID9981
RailroadM Guggenheim's Sons
CountryMexico
Whyte0-6-0ST
Number in Class1
Road Numbers5
GaugeStd
Number Built1
BuilderDickson
Year1900
Valve GearStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)10 / 3.05
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)10 / 3.05
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase1
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)10 / 3.05
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)109,600 / 49,714
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)109,600 / 49,714
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)1300 / 4.92
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)61 / 30.50
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)50 / 1270
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)180 / 1230
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)18" x 24" / 457x610
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)23,795 / 10793.24
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.61
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)212 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)11.50 / 3.51
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)98.90 / 9.19
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)21.07 / 1.96
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1375 / 127.74
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1375 / 127.74
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume194.48
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation3793
Same as above plus superheater percentage3793
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area17,802
Power L13966
Power MT239.33

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