0-4-4 Steam Locomotives in USA-Puerto Rico

Central Cambalache


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class Buena Vista (Locobase 13067)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 30, p.146. Works number was 29103 in September 1906.

Having bought one of the smaller off-the-shelf sugar-plantation tanks a few months earlier (Locobase 13014), the Puerto Rico-based CC returned to Baldwin for its second such engine. This too was a standard design, but of slightly larger dimensions.


Class Cambalache (Locobase 13014)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 29, p.236. Works number was 28643 n July 1906

Ernest Wiener sold many small tanks to sugar roads in islands like Cuba and Puerto Rico. The latter was the location of the Central Cambalache, which operated near Arecibo, a city on the north coast west of San Juan.

The specifications notes curves on an extremely tight 75-ft radius, which helps to explain the long engine wheelbase.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
ClassBuena VistaCambalache
Locobase ID13067 13014
RailroadCentral CambalacheCentral Cambalache
CountryUSA-Puerto RicoUSA-Puerto Rico
Whyte0-4-4T0-4-4T
Number in Class11
Road Numbers21
Gauge2'6"2'6"
Number Built11
BuilderBurnham, Williams & CoBurnham, Williams & Co
Year19061906
Valve GearStephensonStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m) 4.50 / 1.374 / 1.22
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)14.08 / 4.2914 / 4.27
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.32 0.29
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)14.08 / 4.2914 / 4.27
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)24,000 / 10,88620,000 / 9072
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)32,600 / 14,78732,000 / 14,515
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)500 / 1.89550 / 2.08
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)20 / 1017 / 8.50
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)33 / 83829 / 737
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)150 / 1030160 / 1100
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)9" x 16" / 229x4068" x 14" / 203x356
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)5007 / 2271.144202 / 1906.00
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.79 4.76
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)68 - 1.5" / 3864 - 1.5" / 38
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m) 7.96 / 2.43 6.67 / 2.03
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)30.20 / 2.8125.90 / 2.41
Grate Area (sq ft / m2) 7.20 / 0.67 4.60 / 0.43
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)241 / 22.40192 / 17.84
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)241 / 22.40192 / 17.84
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume204.24237.04
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation1080736
Same as above plus superheater percentage1080736
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area45304144
Power L127413069
Power MT503.57676.60

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