0-6-0 "Switcher" Steam Locomotives in the USA

Class 81 (Locobase 16674)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 73, pp. 160+, 166+; and B&G-UCCO 1943ca Locomotive Diagrams supplied by Allen Stanley from his extensive Rail Data Exchange collection. See also Don Strack, "Baldwin 0-6-2 Side Tank -- 8 locomotives (Nevada Consolidated)" on Kennecott Utah Copper, Steam Locomotives roster at [], last accessed 16 November 2024, Gene Connelly's Baldwin production list, and Al Weber's card record of every individual boiler number. Works numbers were 57016, 57019-57020, 57091-57092 in September 1923 and 57768-57770 in April 1924.

Firebox heating surface area included 11 sq ft (1.02 sq m) in two American Security arch tubes. 12" (305 mm) piston valves supplied steam to the cylinders. Supplemental paragraph 29 noted the engines were to operate "at an elevation of 7,000 feet [2,134 metres] above sea level."

After considerable back-and-forth between describing this class as 0-6-0s or 0-6-2T, Locobase concludes Baldwin's specification sheets make the most sense. The 923 and 1924 orders clearly show its class ID as 6 36 D-357 or 0-6-0. Moreover, Yet page 161 of the first order includes a standard rear truck paragraph, which is empty. Almost all of the information in those orders is consistent with Baldwin's ID. Moreover, the B&G diagram clearly represents the 81 class as an 0-6-0 side tank.

On the other hand, an 0-6-2 wheel arrangement appears on Don Strack's roster, Gene Connelly's list, and Al Weber's cards. A pen recorded "Back Engine Truck furnished on Loco 357 XO 1638 of 1933." Connelly's record of the eight engines shows them to have been delivered as 0-6-2s, "reb[uilt] 0-6-0t, sold Nevada Consolidated Copper Co of Santa Rita NM, reb 0-6-2t". Locobase supposes that the XO refers to a NCCC decision to restore the trailing truck on the 81, which went to the new railroad on 11 January 1929 along with five of the others (83-84, 86-88). Two others went to the Chino mine as 33-34, returning to NCCC on 13 December 1935 and 4 April 1940 as 82 and 85, respectively.

Strack also reproduced Steve Swanson's 11 January 2012 email, which placed the 81s. The "General Notes" report that the NCC modified all of the class by adding a trailing axle on an extended frame that allowed for a larger cab and coal bunker. At least two were further updated with saddle tanks.

After 85 and 87 retired before 1951, the last six left in the middle of 1951.