Nicaragua Government 4-6-0 Locomotives in Nicaragua


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class Rama (Locobase 13875)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 39, p 293. Works numbers were 36394-36395 in April 1911.

Wood-burning Ten-wheelers were pretty common in Central America when this pair began work in Nicaragua. Their particular sphere of action included the usual light, tight alignments: 3% ruling grades, 10-degree curves, and 40-lb/yard (20-kg/metre) rail. The second of the two engines was named Bluefields.

Both were later relettered for the FC de Pacifico and remained in service for well over 4 decades.


Class Zelaya (Locobase 11528)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 26, p. 164.

Smithers, Nordenholt & Company was the purchaser of these two small Moguls, which were named Zelaya and Jerez.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
ClassRamaZelaya
Locobase ID13875 11528
RailroadNicaragua GovernmentNicaragua Government
CountryNicaraguaNicaragua
Whyte4-6-04-6-0
Number in Class22
Road Numbers20-2117-18
Gauge3'6"3'6"
Number Built22
BuilderBaldwinBurnham, Williams & Co
Year19121903
Valve GearStephensonStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)10.25 / 3.1212.58 / 3.83
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)19.25 / 5.8721.83 / 6.65
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.53 0.58
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)42.54 / 12.9745 / 13.72
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)64,000 / 29,03046,000 / 20,865
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)80,000 / 36,28764,000 / 29,030
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)50,000 / 22,680
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)130,000 / 58,967
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)2500 / 9.472500 / 9.47
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)36 / 1826 / 13
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)43 / 109244 / 1118
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)160 / 1100135 / 930
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)15" x 20" / 381x50815" x 18" / 381x457
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)14,233 / 6455.9910,562 / 4790.85
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.50 4.36
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)180 - 2" / 51140 - 1.75" / 44
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)11 / 3.3511.17 / 3.40
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)100 / 9.29
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)16.10 / 1.5012 / 1.12
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1129 / 104.89
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1129 / 104.89
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume276.00
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation25761620
Same as above plus superheater percentage25761620
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area16,000
Power L14566
Power MT471.86

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