Class 10 (Locobase 11837)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 12, p. 218. Works numbers were 7708, 7710 in October 1885.

The specification lists the projected weights as 40,000 lb on the drivers, 60,000 overall. Given the 5-ton and 6-ton increases in weight to those shown as "actual" on the sheet, Locobase suspects that the estimate was based on a narrower-gauge locomotive.

An 1885 US Treasury Report on the internal commerce of the United States described the JT&KW in overheated tones on page 403 as "...another young colossus which has planted its feet with long strides and firm tread upon the remote parts of the state. It is the latest in setting out and the sturdiest in adventure."

Ambitious perhaps, but not all that sturdy. In the year after this pair of tanks was delivered, the Tampa line consolidated the Palatka & Indian River and the Sanford & Lake Eustis. Moreover, the line did make it to Titusville, a key hub in the center of the state. By July 1892, however, the JT&KW was placed in receivership. The line was taken over by Henry Plant's Savannah, Florida & Western and ultimately was absorbed by the Atlantic Coast LIne in 1902.

Both tanks were rebuilt as 0-4-0Ts and later sold to Cuban railroads.

Class I-2 (Locobase 7666)

Data from ACL 1930 Locomotive Diagrams supplied in May 2005 by Allen Stanley from his extensive Rail Data Exchange. See also DeGolyer, Volume 20, p. 54. Works numbers were 14548-14549 in November 1895.

A misstep in the quest for more power at speed, these Columbias were among the very first of the arrangement to go into North American service. Baldwin's specs included the retirement that these locomotives could move ten-car trains up a 1.5% grade at 40 mph (64 kph) .

Numbered 154 when delivered in November 1895, the lead locomotive operated on the Wilmington & Weldon while 76 was assigned to the Wilmington, Columbia & Augusta. Although they can't be said to have been sterling engines, they managed to be useful for almost 40 years.

A writer with an admitted passion for this oddball wheel arrangement put up a website devoted to the Columbias. [], accessed 6 July 2006. He notes that the first American engine of the type had 84" drivers and ran as a Vauclain compound. This pair was more realistically scaled, although they retained the 50"-diameter leading truck wheels.