Fruit Growers Supply Co 2-6-2 "Prairie" Locomotives in the USA


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 33 (Locobase 14946)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Vol 65, p. 129. See also the FGS history at [link] . Works numbers were 54859 in June 1921.

Many logging companies and short line operators adopted this relatively small Prairie for all kinds of service. FGS was formed in 1907 to break the "box shook" cartel (box shook was the very thin wood used for crates) by managing the combine of fruit growers and smll independent mills in Northern California.

The railway that supported this business opened in 1913. Its track mileage would grow to 50 miles (80.5 km) and included maximum grades of 4.5% on 50 and 56 lb (25 and 28 kg/metre) rail. The oil-burning 33 was the only engine that was bought new; it operated at the Lassen Lumber Mill at Susanville, Calif.

The FGS closed its railway in 1953.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class33
Locobase ID14946
RailroadFruit Growers Supply Co
CountryUSA
Whyte2-6-2
Number in Class1
Road Numbers33
GaugeStd
Number Built1
BuilderBaldwin
Year1921
Valve GearWalschaert
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m) 9.50 / 2.90
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)24.50 / 7.47
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.39
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)46.50 / 14.17
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)95,900 / 43,500
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)123,200 / 55,883
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)76,500 / 34,700
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)199,700 / 90,583
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)3500 / 13.26
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)1500 / 5678
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)53 / 26.50
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)44 / 1118
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)175 / 1210
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)17" x 24" / 432x610
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)23,448 / 10635.85
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.09
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)240 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)12.50 / 3.81
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)104 / 9.66
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)21 / 1.95
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1664 / 154.65
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1664 / 154.65
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume263.71
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation3675
Same as above plus superheater percentage3675
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area18,200
Power L14442
Power MT306.35

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