FCAF's Garratt
Locomotive "Nora"
updated July 31, 2001
photos and info courtesy Shaun
McMahon except as noted
FCAF No. 2 Nora
prior to present overhaul
photo ® by Martin Coumbs
Nora is an 0-4-0+0-4-0 Beyer Garratt type locomotive,
designed and manufactured in Argentina in 1994. It is
based on the first Garratt type locomotive to be built by
Beyer Peacock in Manchester in 1909, the K1. Nora is
reported to be the first steam locomotive built from
scratch in Argentina. Nora has an estimated weight of 9
tons and is designated KM Class.
Much like its sister British-built locomotive Camila,
Nora was constructed using modern techniques and some
parts, but to a very old design. Nora has welded steel
cylinders and boiler, roller bearing axles, and oil
firing, but few other concessions to modern technology.
On the other hand, Nora's Beyer Garratt 0-4-0+0-4-0 wheel
arrangement provides a relatively powerful locomotive
which rides well, can negotiate tight curves, and which
utilizes all its weight for traction.
As a result of the success gained
following the overhaul and first stage modification of
Camila, Tranex gave sanction for similar work to be
carried out to FCAF's other steam locomotive Nora. The
first step in planning Nora's modifications was to
thoroughly evaluate the design and condition of the
locomotive. The photos below show Ing. L. D. Porta
supervising steam leakage tests on Nora as part of this
work. As shown by the list of planned
improvements, a significant amount of work will have to
be performed on Nora to bring it up to the standards
established nearly 40 years ago (!!) by Porta on the Rio
Turbio Railway in Argentina.
"At the age of 77, Ing. L. D. Porta
supervises steam leakage tests on FCAF locomotive 'Nora'-
October 1999."
| "L. D. Porta looks on as
steam escapes from static steam leakage test to
FCAF "Nora". The result was 67%
leakage!! Porta still holds the world record at
2% (only) with Rio Turbio Mitsubishi 2-10-2s!
Note snow capped mountain in background. Porta
has a particular affection for Patagonia and says
his best years were spend in Rio Gallegos!" Photo:
Shaun McMahon, October 1999
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As
readers will appreciate, being a Garratt
locomotive (as opposed to a conventional
locomotive) the complexity of the work in hand is
far greater than it was for Camila. Dismantling
and full inspection of the loco began on 26th
February, 2001 (see photos below). Photos of the
work follow at the bottom of the page. A brief
summary of items to be attended to during the
overhaul and modifications is as follows:
-Improved,
streamlined live and exhaust steam circuits
coupled with a high degree of insulation for the
steam pipes
-Fitting of Lempor exhaust system, Kordina
and DeLaval blower
-Improvements to combustion system
-Improved and extended mechanical lubrication
inclusive of proportional feed
-Modified driving axle suspension
-Improved boiler insulation
-Improved cylinder insulation
-Improved cab layout to aid single manning
conditions
-Raising of cab so as to allow the driver to
stand up properly
-Raising of boiler 300 mm to allow better primary
air flow to firepan, allow the later addition of
a primary air heater, and to provide more room
for the fitting of improved steam circuits
-Increased feedwater capacity
-Increased fuel capacity
-Flange lubrication
-Motion ovberhaul
-Valve gear overhaul
-Piston and valve ring replacement
-Wheelset replacement and provision of high
adhesion wheel profile
-Evaluation of work to be carried out at stage 2
full rebuild
-Improved sealing of smokebox door
-Replacement of blowdown valve
-Attending to security aspects of existing boiler
-Modification of existing brake gear
-Provision of handrails so as to aid safety
aspect of climbing up on locomotive
-Fitting of test gear so as to evaluate
performance of locomotive in traffic
-Replacement of existing reversing
screw
|
Overhaul/modification
of Nora- February 2001
 |
Nora, with water and fuel tanks
removed, stands outside the FCAF workshop
awaiting dismantling. |
| Nora's auxiliary water tanks,
front water tank, and rear combined water/fuel
tank are visible in front of FCAF No. 3 Camila. |
 |
|
Nora's cab being removed via a
little "gentle persuasion". Reverser
mounting bracket had to be cut to allow the cab
to be removed. |
 |
Removing Nora's cab; water and
fuel tanks seen on the right. |
| With first stage dismantling
complete, Nora is pulled clear of the works.
Nora's regular driver (in high summer season),
Chris Parrott, is just visible driving diesel
Tierra del Fuego. |
 |
 |
Nora's smokebox showing original
blastpipe, which will be replaced by a Lempor
Ejector during the rebuild. Compare this to the
photo below showing the new Lempor exhaust system
fabricated by Girdlestone Rail. |
| Camila shunts Nora's boiler,
mainframe, and power units in the works yard at
Estacion Fin Del Mundo. |
 |
|
Nora's freshly primered original
boiler (no. 1) on the mainframe inside the shop
at Ushuaia. The spare boiler (no. 2) is being
modified by Girdlestone Rail in South Africa (see
below) and will be used to replace this boiler
during the overhaul. |
| Nora's front power unit stripped
for overhaul and modification inside the workshop
at Ushuaia. |
 |
 |
RFIRT No.
109
One of Porta's famous Mitsubishi-built
2-10-2's now lying derelict. Visible in this
photo are the throttle handle and manual screw
reverser which will be fitted to Nora during its
overhaul.
|
| Nora's water tanks undergoing
modification at Ushuaia. Tanks will be
significantly enlarged and re-countoured. |
 |
Modified Boiler No. 2 for Nora
in Girdlestone Rail's Shop in South Africa
|
Modified Driving Wheelsets for
Nora
Featuring Porta "High Adhesion" Profile
at Girdlestone Rail in South Africa
|
New Lempor Exhaust System for
Nora
|
Lempor Exhaust Nozzles and
Blower for Nora
|
New Oil Burner for Nora
Oil is atomized and ejected by
steam around the perimeter of the gap at the top
of the assembly
|
Artwork by Rudi Hough
Showing Nora's Appearance After Completion of
Stage II Modifications
Composite Diagram Showing
Nora's Present Outline
and Much Taller & Longer Outline After
Completion of Stage II Rebuild
The sketches above give some idea
of Nora's projected appearance after completion
of the present Stage I and later Stage II
modifications. Nora's Stage I rebuild is well
underway as of July 2001. More information will
be added to this page as it becomes available.
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