Photos of Derelict Rio
Turbio 2-10-2s at Rio Gallegos
July 4, 2000
all photos provided courtesy of Shaun
McMahon
taken March, 2000
| The following photos were taken during a trip
to Rio Gallegos (the eastern terminus of the Rio
Turbio railway). These photos show the remains of
about half of the former fleet of 20 Mitsubishi
steam locomotives of the railway. The remaining
locomotives are stored in Rio Turbio (at the
western end of the railway) allegedly in much
better condition. |
Logo of the Rio Turbio Railway
as seen on the side of a service vehicle
Boiler of one of the locomotives on a flat
car.
Note the secondary air admission holes in the side of the
firebox for the GPCS.
Closeup of the secondary air inlets
Note that two inlets have been plugged
Interior view of smokebox, showing front flue
sheet, superheater header and main steam pipe
Driver's side view of cab of No. 110
Driver's side view showing rear driver and
chassis of engine.
Rio Turbio "high adhesion" profile tire is
barely discernable.
Locomotive No. 118 being inspected by John
Bancroft
(former driver for Welshpool & Llanfair RR and
present driver at FCAF)
John has first-hand experience with Porta-inspired
front-end improvements to the locomotives of these lines
and hence is very interested in the exhaust system of
these engines.
Back of Boiler Showing Mechanical Stoker
Arrangement
Though fitted with full steam jeet distribution,
in practice the jets were seldom used to distribute the
coal. The turbulent draft of the Kylpor exhaust was
usually sufficient to adequately spread the fuel across
the firebed. Porta has long advocated development of
alternative methods for distributing stoker fired fuel as
the steam jets normally used are very wasteful of steam
and tend to increase the unburned fuel loss.
Inside Tender Revealing Adequate Coal Supply
Space with Water Storage Below
Firehole Door Arrangement of No. 118
Note mechanical stoker elevator unit leading to
distributing unit. On the left hand side of these can be
seen the rocking grate operating levers (detached) and
inside the firebox the grate which greatly restricts the
primary air flow.
Driver's Side View of Cab Interior of No. 118
While most boiler fittings have aleady been removed, the
regulator (throttle) operating handle, vacuum ejector,
and reverser screw (handle removed) are still visible.
"Daihatsu" Stoker Motor
located at front of tender
6-wheel Tender Bogie (truck)
Note compensating gear for suspension
General View of What is Left at Rio Gallegos
(!)
Central is No. 102 (?), to the left is the tender of No.
120, and to the right of 102 are the remains of another
unidentified 2-10-2 "Santa Fe".
Shot Looking Forward from the Footplating of
No. 118
Kylpor chimney with vacuum ejector piped outside
thesmokebox are clearly visible.
(A very important point for students of steam
locomotives- British readers take note and refer to
Welshpool and Llanfair modified locomotive front end
arragnements with respect to ejector exhaust exit
method!)
Rio Turbio No. 102 (first series)
Partly dismantled at Rio Gallegos. Note snowplow with
extended nose. All FCAF locomotives' snow plows are being
modified to this form as it gives a double cutting action
in order to displace snow more efficiently.
Tender Body and 6 Wheel Bogie (truck) of R.T.
2-10-2
Of interest in this shot is the tender coal conveyor
screw. The mechanical stoker motor has been removed.
|
