Baldwin-Westinghouse
Electric Locomotive for the Paulista Railway, Brazil
The first Baldwin-Westinghouse freight locomotive
for the Paulista Railway Company in Brazil has been completed and
tested. The passenger locomotives
are nearing completion. This marks a milestone in the electrification
of one of the most important lines in all South America. This is the
initial step toward
the broad application of natural resources of Brazil to the replacement
of imported coal for power development.
(from a 1921 magazine, in the
public domain)
These locomotives are to be used in main line freight service on the
Paulista Railway which is the main broad gauge trunk line of the most
prosperous and
productive part of the state of Sao Paulo. These freight locomotives
weigh 105 metric tons, and have six driving axles each equipped with
one 280-H. P. direct current motor, arranged for operation with two
motors in series on the 3,000-volt line. They are designed to handle
trailing loads up to 700 metric tons over a line having a maximum grade
of approximately 2 per cent. The locomotive is equipped with M. C. B.
couplers for testing purposes but will later be equipped with
Continental draft gear, and arranged for vacuum train brakes.
Enormous quantities of the coffee, beans, rice, cereals, and cattle are
transported over this line by thoroughly modern and efficient
railroading methods. Electrification is the latest step in the growth
and progress of this notable railway.