Re: NG 4-6-2 photos

Brian Norden Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have not yet looked at the soft-cover book about
> Columbia locomotives out of England for the data.
>
>
> But, P.C. Dewhurst, an Englishman, served as CMO
> in Columbia and was responsible for the design and
> use of the 4-8-0s as well as other designs in
> Columbia. He is also connected with the use of
> Kitson-Meyer locomotives in South America.
>
> BN


The above assessments seem correct, this 4-8-0 was designed specifically for Colombian conditions then various builders built them. I believe dozens of them were ultimately built. The first of the 4-8-0's were built in the 1920's and the last ones not until the late 40's. Minor differences between builders are evident but they're all basically similar. This is the type that most comes to mind when thinking of Colombian railways during the later steam era. It's a neat design. The lead drivers are flangeless and the last driver is typically permitted some lateral motion. All discussion describes them as taking curves very readily with little resistance. I think the Touristren tourist line out of Bogota keeps one operational in addition to some of the lighter mikados. Unlike the 4-8-2's which seem to have had their detractors, I see very few complaints with the 4-8-0's.

Interestingly it is nearly the same size and weight as the K-27 with practically the same tractive effort.