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Single Fairlie and Mason Bogie articulated Locomotives[Inhalt]
Central Mexicano class E
Mexico | 1890 | 15 produced
Locomotive Engineering, March 1890

The Central Mexicano also received a total of 15 locomotives of the US type of the Mason-Fairlie in 1890, which essentially corresponded to the British Single Fairlie. Under the boiler barrel was a bogie that held the cylinders, three driving axles and a leading axle. At the rear, the tender rested on a three-axle bogie. The firebox hang between the bogies and could therefore be built deep enough.

In contemporary depictions, the locomotives were described as a successful design with a comfortable cab. Although they could negotiate the tightest curves with ease, the running smoothness was apparently not particularly good. Nevertheless, all locomotives were already scrapped between 1899 and 1908. This is probably due to the fact that more modern locomotives without moving steam lines were now available.

General
Built1890
ManufacturerBaldwin
Axle config2-6-6T (Single Fairlie) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase40 ft 11 1/2 in
Rigid wheelbase9 ft 4 in
Service weight173,200 lbs
Adhesive weight93,200 lbs
Axle load31,067 lbs
Water capacity3,500 us gal
Fuel capacitycoal
Boiler
Grate area29.8 sq ft
Firebox area151.2 sq ft
Tube heating area1,645.8 sq ft
Evaporative heating area1,797 sq ft
Total heating area1,797 sq ft
Power Plant
Driver diameter49 in
Boiler pressure130 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylinderstwo, 20 x 24 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power575 hp (429 kW)
Optimal speed17 mph
Starting effort21,649 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
Mason Bogie
freight
passenger
last changed: 03/2023
New Zealand Railways class R
New Zealand | 1878 | 18 produced
No. 209 circa 1902 with the photographer's son, William Godber
No. 209 circa 1902 with the photographer's son, William Godber
Albert Percy Godber / Godber Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library

Double Fairlies were used on the winding and steep lines in New Zealand as early as 1872. From 1878 Avonside also manufactured Single Fairlies, which were easier to maintain with a single, larger boiler and a single driving bogie. These were the 18 members of class R and the seven members of the heavier class S.

The class R was able to prove that it was technically capable of reaching a speed of 53 mph or 85 km/h. However, due to the laterally movable bogie, the running smoothness was very poor. However, since the speeds were generally significantly lower, the locomotives could be used successfully. They later received larger water tanks and a new boiler with higher pressure.

The retirements of the class R took place between 1919 and 1944. Three machines were handed over by the NZR to the Sanson Tramway. R 28 was used for shunting in the port of Timaru until 1940. Today she is the only surviving R and only Single Fairlie in New Zealand and is located in Reefton. She was actually planned to be made operational again by 2018, but there is currently nothing further to read about the progress.

Variantas builtnew boiler
General
Built1878-1879
ManufacturerAvonside
Axle config0-6-4T (Single Fairlie) 
Gauge3 ft 6 in (Cape gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase21 ft 10 in
Rigid wheelbase6 ft 9 in
Service weight67,200 lbs
Adhesive weight38,080 lbs
Axle load12,694 lbs
Water capacity860 us gal1,081 us gal
Fuel capacitycoal
Boiler
Grate area12 sq ft14 sq ft
Evaporative heating area608 sq ft741.3 sq ft
Total heating area608 sq ft741.3 sq ft
Variantas builtnew boiler
Power Plant
Driver diameter36 in
Boiler pressure130 psi160 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylinderstwo, 12 1/4 x 16 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power275 hp (205 kW)450 hp (336 kW)
Optimal speed24 mph32 mph
Top speed53 mph
Starting effort7,370 lbf9,070 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
freight
passenger
single Fairlie
last changed: 12/2023
North Wales Narrow Gauge “Moel Tryfan” and “Snowdon Ranger”
Great Britain | 1875 | 2 produced
“Moel Tryfan” on a works photo
“Moel Tryfan” on a works photo

The North Wales Narrow Gauge Railways, which opened in 1877, were built to the unusual one foot 11 1/2 inch gauge. Their first two locomotives were two Single Fairlies, that is, with a power bogie and a trailing bogie. In 1917 both were combined into one working locomotive due to their poor condition. From 1923 it belonged to the Welsh Highland Railway and it is unclear whether they also used it on the Furness Railway and reduced their height to do so. It was retired in 1937 and not refurbished after the Furness Railway reopened.

General
Built1875
ManufacturerVulcan
Axle config0-6-4T (Single Fairlie) 
Gauge1 ft 11 1/2 in (Narrow gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase14 ft 11 1/2 in
Rigid wheelbase3 ft 6 in
Service weight32,481 lbs
Adhesive weight23,521 lbs
Water capacity432 us gal
Fuel capacity1,344 lbs (coal)
Boiler
Grate area6 sq ft
Firebox area37.5 sq ft
Tube heating area324.5 sq ft
Evaporative heating area362 sq ft
Total heating area362 sq ft
Power Plant
Driver diameter30 in
Boiler pressure140 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylinderstwo, 8 1/2 x 14 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power100 hp (75 kW)
Optimal speed16 mph
Starting effort4,012 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
freight
passenger
narrow gauge
tank locomotive
single Fairlie
last changed: 03/2023
North Wales Narrow Gauge “Gowrie”
Great Britain | 1908 | only one produced
Locomotive Magazine, January 1909

In 1906 construction began on the Porthmadog, Beddgelert and South Snowdon Railway, which was to become an extension of the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railways. Although the line was to be electrified, steam locomotives were initially ordered from Hunslet. One these was the “Gowrie”, which was not delivered until after construction had been halted. It was named after the manager of the planned railway line, Gowrie Colquhoun Aicheson.

Like all of the NWNGR, the Gowrie was built in 1 foot 11 1/2 inch gauge. It is considered to be the last locomotive built for this company. Due to the very tight curves, the locomotive was built as a Single Fairlie. This meant that the three coupled axles were in a front bogie and the two trailing axles in a rear bogie

The loco was not as successful as the “Moel Tryfan” and “Snowdon Ranger” which had been combined into a single loco in 1917. The “Gowrie” was sold in 1918 and went through several owners. It was almost bought back when the Welsh Highland Railway was founded, but ultimately this did not happen. It was seen for the last time in service in 1928 and was scrapped in 1931.

General
Built1908
ManufacturerHunslet
Axle config0-6-4T (Single Fairlie) 
Gauge1 ft 11 1/2 in (Narrow gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase17 ft
Rigid wheelbase5 ft 6 in
Service weight40,320 lbs
Adhesive weight25,312 lbs
Axle load8,440 lbs
Water capacity480 us gal
Fuel capacity2,240 lbs (coal)
Boiler
Grate area5 sq ft
Firebox area30 sq ft
Tube heating area252 sq ft
Evaporative heating area282 sq ft
Total heating area282 sq ft
Power Plant
Driver diameter28.5 in
Boiler pressure160 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylinderstwo, 9 1/4 x 14 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power90 hp (67 kW)
Optimal speed10 mph
Starting effort5,716 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
freight
passenger
narrow gauge
tank locomotive
single Fairlie
last changed: 04/2023
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