2013-07-13

Caprotti (pt 2) Argentina

The latest issue of Locomotives International, issue 85 (2013) has a very interesting article by Philip Atkins about Central Argentina (FCCA/CAR) class PS11 Pacifics.

According to Reg Carter (Railways of Argentina, revised 1997) they were:
FCCA 1101-1120, Armstrong Whitworth 1081-1100 of 1930
FCCA 1121-1124. Vulcan Foundry 5849-5852 of 1947
FCCA 1125-1129, Vulcan Foundry 5853-5857 of 1948
All to FC Nacional General Mitre in 1948 (same numbers)

Gen. Roca 2201-2205 (later 3001-3005), Vulcan Foundry 5858-5862 of 1949
Gen. Mitre 1150-1159, Vulcan Foundry 5869-5878 of 1950

Philip Atkins tells us that on 5 March 1939, CAR No. 1118 averaged 65.7 mph (105,7 km/h) hauling 500 tons, non-stop over the 188 miles (302 km) between Rosario and Buenos Aires, almost touching 100 mph (161 km/h). ---  Routinely, this class also hauled trains of 560 tons at speeds up to 75 mph (120 km/h), and worked the 15 car Panamericano express over the 718 miles (1155 km) between Buenos Aires and Tucuman. --- At this same period one engine covered 13,900 miles (22,365 km) during a single 30 day period.

All these speeds and distances covered are very good, and I would love to have more details.
Illustrations show Locomotives International 85 cover, contents (many interesting articles there!) and line drawings from page 22 (possibly from The Railway Gazette). The Armstrong Whitworth ad is from The Locomotive (May 1931) and there is a related article from The Locomotive, February 1931.