Natchez, Urania & Ruston 2-8-0 "Consolidation" Locomotives in the USA


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 3 (Locobase 15346)

Data from DeGolyer, Vol 78 pp. 16+. See also Mississippi Rails' account of the NU&R at [link], last accessed 7 August 2013. Works number was 58496 in June 1925.

Originally ordered by the Central Cespedes from Baldwin Havana's stock, the oil-burning plantation Consolidation #3 was instead sold to locomotive rebuilder/reseller Birmingham Rail & Locomotive. The engine languished on BR&L's books (but in Baldwin custody) for an exceptional nine years. During that period, the 3 was converted to coal firing in 1931. Baldwin removed the oil-firing equipment and sent it to the BR&L. This was in preparation for delivery to the Tuskegee Railroad

Finally, on 13 April 1934, BR&L found a buyer in this Louisiana short line. According to Mississippi Rails, the NU&R traveled for 20 miles (32.2 km) over rolling terrain on 52 lb/yard (26 kg/metre) relay rail (rail reused after service elsewhere) and 35 lb. (17.5 kg/metre) new rail. By the time the 3 reached the railroad, however, it had shrunk to 6.5 miles (10.5 km).

Later the engine went to the Central Maceo in Cuba. When the 1959 Revolucion resulted in the expropriation of private property, the central was renamed for Antonio Maceo and the 3 2was renumbered 1756.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class3
Locobase ID15346
RailroadNatchez, Urania & Ruston
CountryUSA
Whyte2-8-0
Number in Class1
Road Numbers3
GaugeStd
Number Built1
BuilderBaldwin
Year1925
Valve GearWalschaert
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)14.25 / 4.34
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)21.58 / 6.58
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.66
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)51.75 / 15.77
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)108,000 / 48,988
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)121,000 / 54,885
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)114,000 / 51,710
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)235,000 / 106,595
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)5000 / 18.94
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)2500 / 9463
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)45 / 22.50
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)44 / 1118
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)170 / 1170
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)18" x 24" / 457x610
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)25,537 / 11583.40
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.23
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)203 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)13.25 / 4.04
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)133 / 12.36
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)27.80 / 2.58
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1533 / 142.47
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1533 / 142.47
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume216.83
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation4726
Same as above plus superheater percentage4726
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area22,610
Power L13876
Power MT316.49

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