Vladicaucase 4-6-0 Locomotives in Russia


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class Pi / A (Locobase 9114)

Data from Apercu des Chemins de Fer Russes Depuis l'Origine Jusqu'en 1892, Editor in Chief Andre de Gortschakov (Brussells: Paul Weissenbruch, 1897).

(Pi should be read as the Greek letter.)

These cross-compound Ten-wheelers were the brainchild of the President of Administration (direct & clumsy translation) of the Wlaw, J J Kerbedz. He saw the need for increased speed and heavier trains over a line that had many grades of 1% or more. In devising the leading bogie, the engineers created an arrangement that allowed negotiation of curves with radii of 266 metres (873 feet).

A later version is shown in Locobase 2712.


Class Pi 61 / Ad/Av (Locobase 2712)

Data from the table presented on pages 379, 381 of the Groupe VI. - GTnie civil. - Moyens de transport. DeuxiFme partie. Classes 32 (Tome I), part of the series of Rapports du Jury Internationale of the Exposition Unverselle Internationale de 1900 Paris Exposition, hosted on the website of Le Conservatoire numTrique des Arts & MTtiers ([link], Accessed 21 August 2005).

Six cross-compound Ten-wheelers appeared in 1892 to determine if the design would satisfy requirement. (These are shown in Locobase 9114.) Series production began four years later with thirty locomotives upgraded with slightly larger low-pressure cylinders and slightly higher boiler pressure. The last ten were equipped with naptha burners and their fireboxes were lined with refractory firebrick. Boiler pressure was set at 12 atm (174 psi) and the Joy gear was replaced by Walschaert outside constant-lead radial valve gear.

Described by OS Nock (RWC III, pl 54) as "a very workmanlike and attractive locomotive," these engines entered into service on the Russian legs of the international expresses that ran from Western European capitals to Moscow. The Jury report says they pulled trains at up to 80 km/h (50 mph) and, in fact, the class was rated to pull 637 tons at 75 km/h (46.5 mph) on the level. The Ad could manage 400 tons at 35 km/h (21.7 mph) on a 0.6% grade, 350 tons up 0.8% at 30 km/h (18.6 mph), and 272 tons up a 1% grade at the same speed.,

One Av was fitted with a superheater in 1913 and simpled.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
ClassPi / APi 61 / Ad/Av
Locobase ID9114 2712
RailroadVladicaucaseVladicaucase
CountryRussiaRussia
Whyte4-6-04-6-0
Number in Class640
Road NumbersPi 41-Pi 46Pi 61-100
Gauge5'5'
Number Built640
BuilderKolomnaseveral
Year18921896
Valve GearJoyvarious
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)14.14 / 4.31
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)22.80 / 6.9526.44 / 8.06
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.53
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)87,303 / 39,60094,578 / 42,900
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)129,632 / 58,800139,332 / 63,200
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)92,594 / 42,000
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)222,226 / 100,800
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)5095 / 19.30
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)49 / 24.5053 / 26.50
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)72 / 183072 / 1830
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)159.50 / 1100166.80 / 1150
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)19.69" x 25.59" / 500x650 (1)19.69" x 25.59" / 500x650 (1)
Low Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)27.95" x 25.59" / 710x650 (1)25.59" x 25.59" / 730x650 (1)
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)12,485 / 5663.1112,271 / 5566.04
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 6.99 7.71
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)210 - 2.008" / 51192 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)14.11 / 4.3015.09 / 4.60
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)104.41 / 9.70117.82 / 10.95
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)19.91 / 1.8523.13 / 2.15
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1661 / 154.301640 / 152.44
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1661 / 154.301640 / 152.44
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume368.35363.69
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation31763858
Same as above plus superheater percentage31763858
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area16,65319,652
Power L145995858
Power MT348.41409.65

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