Wichita Falls & Northwestern 4-6-0 "Ten-Wheeler" Locomotives in the USA

Class 26 (Locobase 13328)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 39, p. 163. See also the description of the Clinton & Oklahoma Western by Bob Burton, "The Development of Santa Fe's Plains Division Borger District", The Warbonnet, 3rd Quarter 1999, archived at [] . Works numbers were 36293-36294 in March 1911.

The Agricola de Colombres ordered 8 Ten-wheelers in early 1911, but as time approached for them to take delivery, they were forced to decline. Thanks to a good market and energetic sales reps, Baldwin was able to place these orphans on several short lines in the United States.

The Wichita Fall Route took two of the engines, but sold them in June 1913 to the Clinton & Oklahoma Western, which was chartered in 1908 to serve the Texas Panhandle. By the time it bought the two Ten-wheelers, it had built westward from Clinton through Butler on to Strong City. Its further extension to Cheyenne was blocked by the construction of the Cheyenne Short Line. This sketchily financed and built road went into receivership and in 1920 was merged with the Cow (as its "Calf", as the local nickname suggested).

Years later, a Cheyenne-Pampa line was completed after the C & OW was bought by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe in 1928. The Cheyenne-Pampa line was officially opened on May 15, 1929. Meanwhile the