Barre 0-6-2 Locomotives in the USA

Class Boulder (Locobase 11700)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 16, p. 82 (Thanks to Chris Hohl for his 19 April 2018 email pointing out errors in the adhesion weight and boiler pressure.) Works number was 11054 in July 1890. See also Industries and wealth of the principal points in Vermont (New York: American Publishing and Engraving Co, 1891), p. 154 as well as Locobase 11614, which has more detailed information on the quarrying operations.

The Sky Route secured this high-adhesion locomotive to scale the steep slopes that led to the deep quarries. Cylinder specification called for their walls to be thick enough to allow boring out to 17" (432 mm).

After almost 20 years, the Boulder was sold to the Montpelier & Wells River in 1909 and renumbered 10. Fifteen years later, in March 1926, the Rock of Ages monument company bought the 10 and operated for another ten years before scrapping it.

Class Granite City (Locobase 12618)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 25, p. 18.

Works number was 20931 in September 1902.

As mentioned in earlier entries (Locobases 11614 and 11700), the Sky Route served some pretty rugged terrain in central Vermont, at the heart of which was an immense granite quarry. 5% grades were stiff enough of a challenge and the engine gained boiler size, but and cylinder volume to cope, but the 20-deg curves (58-metre/190-ft radius) elicited the note to "...make swing of drawbar to suit". That is, if the drawbar behind the bunker didn't have enough play, it could bind and derail the engine.

In 1913, the Barre merged with the East Barre and Chelsea Railroad Company (originally established in 1892), the successor being dubbed the Barre and Chelsea and, after 1940, for the Rock of Ages line that connected Barre with the quarry.

Class Hecules/Frank H Smith (Locobase 16677)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 41, p. 135. .(Thank to Chris Hohl for his 6 November 2024 email pointing out the coal capacity as well as weight and boiler pressure increases in the Hercules, which prompted Locobase to create this new entry.) Works number was 33301 in March 1909 and 37527 in February 1912.

Locobase 12619 shows the Monarch of 1909, a radial tank design that increased the power available for the quarry's work Three years later, Baldwin delivered the Barre's last locomotive. As for the Monarch, Hercules's specifications asked that the cylinders be cast at 20" (508 mm) and use a 20" diameter head,, but be bored with a 19" diameter. It's not clear to Locobase if a Hereafter" note in the Monarch's specs that recommended fitting the firebox with three rows of fire brick instead of the specified two rows led to such a change in the Hercules.

Two significant differences did show, however. One was the 20 psi (1.38 bar) increase in boiler pressure, which compensated for significant weight growth in the Hercules.

A year later, the Hercules was renamed Frank H Smith as the Barre merged with the East Barre & Chelsea to become the Barre & Chelsea. The B&C kept the 6 in service for over 40 years before selling to the Rock of Ages in October 1952.

The RAC retired the 6 in 1957. It later appeared on display in Graniteville, VT. (See [] for a photograph and a history of the engine.)

Class Monarch (Locobase 12619)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 32, p. 82..(Thank to Chris Hohl for his 6 November 2024 email pointing out the coal capacity as well as weight and boiler pressure increases from this engine in the 1912 Hercules, which prompted Locobase to create a new entry for the latter locomotive in Locobas 166771.) Works number was 33301 in March 1909..

Seven years after the Granite City went to work on the Barre (Locobase 12618), the granite railroad returned to Baldwin for its last purchases. All significant dimensions increased for more power (granite is pretty heavy ...). The specifications asked that the cylinders be cast at 20" (508 mm) and use a 20" diameter head,, but be bored with a 19" diameter. A "Hereafter"note recommending fitting the firebox with three rows of fire brick instead of the specified two rows.

A stablemate named Hercules arrived in 1912 with significant increases in weight and boiler pressures; see Locobase 16677.

The Barre merged with the East Barre & Chelsea in 1913 to become the Barre & Chelsea. After almost 40 years in service, the Monarch was sold by B&C sold both to the Rock of Ages Quarry, the 5 in September 1948, 6 in October 1952.