Rio Grande & Eagle Pass 4-4-0 "American" Locomotives in the USA


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 1 (Locobase 11592)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 15, p. 37. Works number was 9891 in March 1889. See the Handbook of Texas Online [link] . In 1883, a three-rail line leading from Laredo, Texas to Minerva, some 27 miles began construction, which was completed two years later along with a branch line to Cannel. This small, lightly built railroad served the coal mines at Santo Tomas Mine.

Upon completion, the line was reorganized as the Rio Grande & Eagle Pass with a goal to build the 135 miles (217 km) to the latter town. In the event, the railroad converted to standard gauge in 1895 and completed only the 24 miles (38.6 km) to Delores.This little 4-4-0 provided whatever passenger power the railroad required.

Over time, as the mines petered out, the end-of-track inched away from the mines. The last big mine closed in 1939 and the RG & EP filed for abandonment in 1942, but remained opened to Milepost 7 to serve a gunnery range. Thgat last segment closed in 1947.

NB: The firebox heating surface) is an estimate based on comparisons with similar firebox dimensions in other 4-4-0s of the period produced by Baldwin in the period.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class1
Locobase ID11592
RailroadRio Grande & Eagle Pass
CountryUSA
Whyte4-4-0
Number in Class1
Road Numbers1
GaugeStd
Number Built1
BuilderBurnham, Parry, Williams & Co
Year1889
Valve GearStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)8 / 2.44
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)21.75 / 6.63
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.37
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)48,000 / 21,772
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)74,000 / 33,566
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)2600 / 9.85
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)40 / 20
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)62 / 1575
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)130 / 900
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)16" x 24" / 406x610
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)10,950 / 4966.84
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.38
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)161 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)10.85 / 3.31
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)115
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)15.50 / 1.44
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1030
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1030
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume184.26
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation2015
Same as above plus superheater percentage2015
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area14,950
Power L13857
Power MT354.30

All material Copyright © SteamLocomotive.com
Wes Barris