FRENCH COMPOUND LOCOMOTIVES' HOMEPAGE
Chapelon's designs for the G.E.L.S.A.
On october the 27th. 1949, a deal was signed
between the D.N.E.F. (Brazil) and the GELSA for the building of 90 locomotives.
The initial major specifications included in the deal metionned among other
things that the machines might develop a tractive effort of 10 metric tons
for the 2-8-4s and 13 m. tons for the 4-8-4s, that the minimum radius of
the curves used on the tracks was of 80 meters - and this particular point
was the main source of the problems encountered with these locomotives
in Brazil as, according to the informations on hand, some curves were of
a radius of less than 50 meters and that of course these locomotives, the
4-8-4s especially, sometimes left the rails when passing on those and that
the maximum speed had to be of 50 mph (80 kph) for the 4-8-4 and of 38
mph (60 kph) for the 2-8-4.
The 4-8-4s were built by the company Batignolles-Châtillon,
the 2-8-4s being dispatched int three batches: 1 built by Schneider, the
second by the Société Française de Constructions Mécaniques
(ex. Cail co.) and the third by the Compagnie Fives-Lille.
-
Boiler: On both
the 2-8-4s and 4-8-4s, the firebox is of the Belpaire type; It's extended
on the 4-8-4s by a combustion chamber; All these locomotives, excepted
the batch of 2-8-4 designed for wood firing (25 units), are equipped with
two Nicholson's syphons, wich are used as mountings for the firebrick arches.
The firedoor is of the balanced type made of three panels, first used on
the P.O. Pacifics of 1907; It can be moved by hand or by steam. On the
4-8-4s, the coal is supplied by a stoker (HT. 1). The jerking grate can
be moved by hand or by steam. The superheater is a Schmidt unit. The water
is supplied to the boiler by a Worthington pump with preheater and a Thermix
injector on the 4-8-4s and by two injectors on the 2-8-4s. The smokebox
is equipped with a self-cleaning device. The exhaust is a single KylChap
1 K/T on the 2-8-4s and a dual device of the same type on the 4-8-4s.
-
Mechanism: Interchangeable
cylinders (i.e. left and right units are identical). The capacity of the
steam chest is equal to the capacity of the cylinder. Long stroke piston
valves:
-
7.5 in. on the 4-8-4;
-
6.5 in. on the 2-8-4;
The piston valves ports are of trapezoidal shape to damp
exhaust blows (see the tech. data of 141 E 113). Piston rings of the Koppers
type. Walschaerts valve gear with servo-motor control. Two Martin mechanical
oilers.
-
Chassis: "Classical"
chassis made of laminated sheets, the thickness of the frames is of 4 in.
(!), cast iron frame stays. Franklin self-adjusting wedges.
-
Various: Both series were equipped with
Le Chatellier brakes, a water purification device and a rail oiler identical
to the one used on the P.O. - Midi machines running on tortuous lines,
...
-
Main dimensions:
Dimension |
2-8-4 |
4-8-4 |
|
|
|
Grate area, sq. ft. |
43 |
57.37 |
Firebox heating area, sq. ft. |
212 |
297.1 |
Tubes & flues heating area, sq. ft. |
1,104. |
1,509. |
Total heating area |
1316 |
1806 |
Superheating area |
484 |
732 |
Boiler pressure, psi |
213 |
284 |
Cylinders bore & stroke, in. |
17 x 21.2 |
17 x 25.2 |
Diving wheels diameter |
4 ft. 2 in. |
4 ft. 11 in. |
Carrying wheels diameter |
Unknown... |
2 ft. 5 in. |
Adhesive weight, long tons |
39.764 |
51.18 |
Total weight, long tons |
67.9 |
89.5 |
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2002 by T. Stora. All rights reserved. Reproduction, translation, total
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