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

Western Railway of Alabama


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 5 (Locobase 16713)

Data from "Rogers' Six Wheel Switching Locomotive for the Western Railway of Alabama", Railway Review, Volume 36 (20 June 1896), p. 339.

Delivered three years after the Chicago & North Western switcher delivered from Schenectady and shown in Locobase 9136, this engine shared many of the same specifications. The comparison supports RR's comment that "this engine is a remarkably heavy one for yard work and it is an illustration of the tendency toward large steaming capacity for locomotives for switching service."

Rogers produced four more switchers for the WRA in 1903-1906. These used 19" diameter cylinders, steam pressed to 180 psi, and weighed 10 short tons more.

The 5 went out of service before 1907.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class5
Locobase ID16713
RailroadWestern Railway of Alabama (WPR)
CountryUSA
Whyte0-6-0
Number in Class1
Road Numbers5
GaugeStd
Number Built1
BuilderRogers
Year1896
Valve GearStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)10.50 / 3.20
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)10.50 / 3.20
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase1
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)36 / 10.97
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)98,000 / 44,452
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)98,000 / 44,452
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)2500 / 9.47
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)3 / 2.70
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)54 / 27
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)51 / 1295
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)165 / 1120
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)18" x 24" / 457x610
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)21,384 / 9699.63
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.58
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)173 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)13.75 / 4.19
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)98.64 / 9.16
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)14.15 / 1.31
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1344 / 124.86
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1344 / 124.86
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume190.10
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation2335
Same as above plus superheater percentage2335
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area16,276
Power L13645
Power MT246.00

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