Surviving Steam Locomotives in North East Brazil

This is the work of Eddie Edmundson, Director, The British Council, Recife, October 2000 and was originally published in Locomotives International. Further references and acknowledgements are given at the end. Martin Murray's comments (April 2002) are added in RED.

STATE OF PERNAMBUCO

1. CITY OF RECIFE.

1.1. ESTAÇÃO BRUM, RECIFE (Recife docks)

The original plate on the cab reads: "Société Française de Constructions Mécaniques (Anciens Etab^ts Cail). Usines à Denain. Douai Et Albert". This is one of Cail’s standard ‘106’ designs, and was built for the Société Générale des Chemins de Fer Economiques [SE] for their Seine et Marne (77) network. These locomotives were intended to be run ‘cab in front’ to allow better visibility in a rural network that ran along roads and crossed though villages. According to Philippe Quiot, "Lutece" was intended to become SE No.3712 with the name "Vimpelles", but in fact delivery never took place, and instead it was diverted to Société de Construction des Batignolles. Sadly, it now lies abandoned, and in poor shape. The locomotive was covered by a tarpaulin in 1993; this has now been removed. Due to a new access road through the port, the engine has been moved 30 yards along the disused track (April 1994). The Recife port authorities claim that they intend to clean up the engine and then send it to a museum. Photo published in Locomotives International Special 1993. Last visit: January 1999. Note: Nearby is the recently renovated railway station of Estação Brum, which was the starting point of the original Great Western of Brazil Railway (GWBR) line.

1.2. MUSEU DO HOMEN DO NORDESTE. FUNDAÇA0 JOAQUIM NABUCO (Recife)

The valve inside the cab reads "Made in USA". Fair condition, on display. Metre gauge. Ex-"Uzina Santa Teresinha" (plate). Photo published in LI Special 1993. Last visit: October 1998.

1.3. HEADQUARTERS OF RFFSA

Original plaque on engine reads: "1882-1902 R & W Hawthorn Engineers, Newcastle Upon Tyne". Fair condition, and on display. Last visit: September 2000. Note: This engine may have been purchased new for Alagoas Railway Company with a sister loco manufactured in 1903, GWBR nos.156 & 157 (Binns). [TF: "This is in fact year 1882, no. 1902", "Built as EF Central Alagoas No 1 becoming GWB 156. There is no record of it ever being No 3 when in service, although this does not of course mean it never was".]

1.4. MUSEU DO TREM (Covered Train Museum, Central Station, Recife)

This locomotive is one of series 17226-8, ex 106-108, later no. 17 (GWBR). Manufactured by North British Loco Co. Good condition, and on display. Last visit: November 2001.

Note: According to a plaque in the adjoining Railway Museum, this locomotive was acquired by GWBR in 1910. Originally wood-burning, but converted from 4-4-0 at the GWBR Jaboatão works in 1949 to burn fuel oil, and increase its maximum speed from 20 to 30 kph. This locomotive was used for shunting and short distance work. Works drawing and original specifications can be seen in the Museum Archive.

[TF: "NBL built nos. 17226-17231, as GWBR 31-36. These must have been re-numbered later". "Built as 4.4.0 No 33, later re-numbered No 108, later rebuilt 2.6.2T No 17" ].

Garratt type, manufactured by Henschel & Sohn, Germany. Very good condition, recently overhauled, and on display. Works drawings & specifications of three Henschel Garratts can be seen in the Train Museum Archive: nos. 610, 612, 615. Durrant’s study of the Garratts explains that the GWBR 4-8-2+2-8-4 became the pattern for the standard light Garratt. Two other Garratts were built for the GWBR in 1929 by Armstrong Whitworth. Last visit December 1999.

[TF: "The Garratts built by Henschel were GWBR 610-615, Henschel 25257-25262. They were built for Beyer Peacock who allocated their works numbers 6966-6969 and 7136-7. At this period Beyer Peacock were very busy and they sub-contracted out, presumably to meet delivery dates". "No 612 now given as Henschel 25258. The batch was 611-616, 25257-62"]].

A Diesel-Electric 1000 H.P. locomotive, manufactured by the English Electric Co Ltd. In good condition, and on display. Note: Acquired by the Rodovía Ferroviaria do Nordeste in 1955. According to the museum plaque, this loco reached 100 kph in trials, but was limited to 60 kph when pulling passenger carriages. Last visit December 1998.

A steam crane manufactured by Thomas Smith & Co Ltd, Leeds. In good condition, on display. Note: This steam crane has a vertical boiler; it worked until 1978 and was (according to the museum plaque) mainly used for loading logs.

1.5. SPORT CLUB DO RECIFE (Football ground, Recife)

No locomotives remain here, presumed scrapped. DTS 1981 gives:

Preserved, metre gauge, British aspect. Ex-Usina Santa Teresinha.

[TF: This was probably North British 16121 (1904) built GWBR No 4 later 212. This is also listed as no. 16 but it is not impossible that no.16 was preserved as no. 7 No.16 was at work in 1976 and was definitely a 2-6-0].

Preserved, 750mm gauge. Ex-Usina Santo Antonio, São Luiz Quitunde, Alagoas.

1.6. PAULISTA.

The town of Paulista adjoins Recife. An intriguing 600mm locomotive has survived in the grounds of the Cia de Tecidos Paulista in Praça Agamenon Magalhães:

A plaque inside the cab reads "C.C.V.P. 1923" which was the Companhia Cimento Vale do Paraiba. The boiler plate reads "LOCOMOTIVFABRIK HAGANS. ERFURT. 12 ATM Mro 230. 1883". 230 may be the boiler number since Hagans 230 was built in 1890 for Bauunternehmung Locher & Co Zurich. This locomotive may be in fact be one of the series 138-140 (1890) which were sent to France for export. The loco is in poor condition, with no tanks, but not yet derelict. Last visit Nov 1997.

[TF: I have checked the builder’s list and I also come to the conclusion that the loco is one of Hagans 139 or 140 of 1882 (138 was standard gauge). Looks like a 0-6-0WT, with tanks between the frames?]

1.7. CABO.

On display outside a rubber factory (COPERBO) on the main road between Recife and Maceió. In good condition. Photo LI Special 1993. Last visit November 1998. DTS 1981 reports that it has a European aspect.

[TF: Photo looks German – O&K?]

2. SUGAR USINAS IN THE STATE OF PERNAMBUCO.

2.1. USINA AGUA BRANCA (Near Quipapá) 1000mm gauge.

Abandoned, and in rapidly deteriorating shape. Railway ceased in 1979. Last visit: March 1994. Photo LI Special 1993. Ex-French Gov Rly 39, Artillery Railway, also reported as "Agua Branca" [PEW]. [TF: "This was built as 600mm 0-6-2"]

Two other locomotives reported by PEW & CRJ #55(83) no longer exist at this Usina:

Ex-French Gov.

2.2. USINA SANTA TERESINHA {old spelling: THEREZINHA} (Near Agua Preta) 1000mm gauge.

No locos remain at this Usina. Author visited Dec.1992.

Christian; DTS 1976 & 1981; & CRJ #40 (79/80) report the following locos:

Luttermöller design

Ex-GWBR 212, originally #4. PEW gives mill # 7. Christian ( ) gives 2-8-0.

In steam 1981. [TF: "new as E.F. Araraquara no.21, later renumbered to No. 11"]

Ex-Cia Mogiana 681. [TF "Later renumbered to No. 731"]

Ex-Cia Mogiana 672, oil burner. [TF "Later renumbered to NO. 722"]

2.3. USINA BARREIROS-GRUPO OTHON. (Barreiros) 1000mm gauge.

There are approx. 25 km of serviceable railway line leading from the sugar mill. The mill belongs to the Grupo Othon, a company that owns many profitable hotels in Brazil and a large stretch of beach property near the mill. I visited the mill in April 1993 with a historian from a documentation centre in Recife, and the historian suggested to the general manager that there was a great potential in restoring some of the locomotives as the basis of a tourist development. Christian describes a visit to this Usina and gives the full roster at that time.

Last visit September 1994: on display, painted, in park in front of the Usina with tender. On previous visits was abandoned, derelict, in front of "Jacuipe". DTS 1981: "looks French (or British?)". Christian describes as "British". Koch (1988) says ex-Usina Rio Una.

[TF: 1950 seems late. Probably French, possibly German/Belgian].

Kerr, Stuart & Co Ltd London & Stoke. Abandoned, derelict.

PEW reports overhauled in 1986. 'Huxley' Class, sold May 1915 to P.T.Wessel & Co for export to Pernambuco, Brazil. Photo IRR June 1982

[TF: Possible built as 0-4-2T]

Abandoned. Nos. 10 & 11 were ordered by Agents H. Rogers Sons & Co. Wolverhampton and despatched to the Cia Acucareira Santo André do Rio Una, Pernambuco, Brazil (Binns).

Abandoned, derelict. Two tenders attached (nos 10 & 11). PEW reports overhauled 1986. Binns reports that the locomotive was despatched with the name ‘Barreiros’. Photo published in LI Special 1993.

Abandoned, derelict (central driving wheels missing), attached to chassis of a tender.

Photo LI Special 1993.

[TF: "Builder’s list says built as GWBR 162, at Queen Park Works, later GWBR No 240"]

Rebuilt 1963, still in good condition, report in IRR June 1982. Photo LI Special 1993. DTS 1976 & 1981 confirm ex-GWBR.

[TF: GWBR 203, later 272]

On my first visit in March 1992, Nos 34 & 10 were in a shed, and very well cared for. I was assured that they were both in working condition and that from time to time they were taken out for a short run in the yard. In April 1993, however, both were out of doors. No 34 "Jundiá" had allegedly been steamed up recently, but No 10 seems sadly to be no longer in working order.

Other locos, reported by PEW, which are no longer to be found at this Usina:

Ex-Usina Santo André, Krauss? [DTS 1976: O&K?]

[TF: Possibly American. Was preserved in Mill manager’s garden 1 km from the mill, was reported as destined for a sugar museum in Recife. In 1974 was preserved at Usina Santa André – 30 km from Barreiros].

Ex-Usina Santo André. CRJ #40 (79/80) reports as dumped. Scrapped before 1981.

Was on loan from Usina Cacaú, returned c.1984. Probably scrapped. DTS 1981: possibly built at Cucaú to US design.

Scrapped before 1981. [Staszewski : One of series 5737-5742 (1909) 4-6-0 acquired by EF Central Rio Grande do Norte (nos 7-12)]

Scrapped before 1981.

[TF: Possibly one of the EF Central Rio Grande do Norte 7-12, as with #21].

Ex-Araraquara no 18. Scrapped before 1981. [TF "Delete No. 18 and substitute Araraquara No.109".

Scrapped before 1981. Christian( ) gives as 2-6-0.

[TF: "NBL 19191/1910, GWBR 168, later 246"]

Scrapped before 1981.

To Usina São José RJ.

[TF: "This is preserved at Carlos Gomez, SP", "Built as C.F. Federaux de L’Est Bresilian/ Cia Geral de Viação Geral da Bahia. In 1934 became Viação Férrea Federal Leste Brasileiro, where this loco was No. 8"].

2.4. USINA TRAPICHE (GRUPO BRENNAND) (Pernambuco). 750mm gauge.

Abandoned, derelict, on display. Last visit: Jan. 1993. Photos LI Special 1993 & Christian. Christian describes this as "certainly one of the last Decauvilles in revenue service in the world".

Other engines spotted by Christian are no longer at this Usina:

[Farr: No 5 was new to Haupt Biehn & Co (dealers/agents?) as "Walter Pinto".]

2.5. USINA CUCAÚ (Near Rio Formoso) 1000mm gauge.

With water tender, fair condition, on display. Photos published in LI Special 1993. DTS 1981: Rebuilt at Cucaú, possibly originally US manufacture. CRJ #55(1983) reports it may be British-built. PEW reports that this Usina also had # 15, 2-8-0, "Triunfo", and this was spotted by DTS 1976. This was for a time on loan to Usina Barreiros but returned to Cucaú around 1984. Both locos appear to have been built at Cucaú, probably from parts of GWBR locos or from the two 1880's Sharp Stewart 4-6-0's ex-Noroeste which were at this mill until 1981.

[TF: ‘cylinders look USA, but not the rest’]

DTS 1976 reports the following locos, which are no longer at the Usina:

Luttermöller design.

[TF: Perhaps not ‘Erasto’, but ‘Ernesto’]

May be a Sharp Stewart. Christian gives as 2-8-0 ("Dr José Beserra")

#11 & #12 ex-Mogyana Railway (nos. 24&44). Christian gives #11 as #13, and Works No as 3482.

[TF: "They also had ex Mogyana 52 – No 13, SS 3482/1888, ‘Cuyaba’, later No. 109"]

Binns reports that Usina Cucaú also had a German built 2-4-0 with American running gear, German boiler and cab, and that the 1885 Sharp Stewart 4-6-0 had American cylinders. It is thought that a derelict 4-4-0 provided some of the parts to keep the older locomotives on the road. Also O&K 0-10-0T which was a Koppel geared locomotive, mentioned in Christian.

Last visit Jan 1993.

[TF: This could be No. 8]

2.6. USINA TIUMA (São Lourenço da Mata): 600mm

No locomotives survive today at this Usina. In its heyday, this Usina was the flagship of the British run North Brazil Sugar Factories Ltd.

All the following data are taken from PEW & CRJ #55(1983). Photos of several of these engines appear in Hahmann & Small (1985). The Usina had 28 km of narrow gauge by 1909, and rail use ceased around 1972.

Taken to São Paulo area in 1989 via Indaia Transportes.

[TF: Built as a sub-contract from Sharp Stewart as no. 3291, metre gauge, as Brazilian Government railway no. 18, becoming Mogyana no. 41, and at some time becoming a 600mm 0-6-0T! The history is dubious. TF "Mogiana No.41 ‘Parahyba’ rebuilt as 4.4.0T No.802. Built as 4.4.0 Brazilian Government Railway No.18"].

Malcolm Peakman adds (9th January 2020) that the information from TF above taken from Lowe's book 'British Steam Locomotive Builders (1975) is not correct. He adds "The SS order book (held privately) lists Clyde order E6 15 as ordered by Dick Kerr and Co for Permanbuco - 0-6-0T 9" by 14" cylinders 2' - 0" gauge No 3" The Wikipedia entry for the Clyde Locomotive Company was also incorrect at this date. 

Purchased new to North Brazil Sugar Factories. Scrapped before 1981.

Purchased new to North Brazil Sugar Factories. Sold/scrapped before 1981.

Purchased new.

Both taken to Indaia Transportes in 1989 (see below).

Ex 2-6-0, ex Paulista Rly no. 8.

Ex 2-6-0, ex Paulista Rly no. 9.

2.7. INDAIA TRANSPORTES LTDA (Near Paulista)

This two-foot Mogul is plinthed, and beautifully painted. Photo LI Special 1993. Last visit June 1993. This is a very attractively preserved Baldwin at a road transport depot belonging to the Grupo Votorantim. This locomotive, and the sister loco No 6 beside it, are painted in the original colours (taken from a company catalogue), and are given a coat once a year. Three locos were saved from the Usina São Lourenço (ex Usina Tiuma) belonging to the Grupo Votorantim (PEW). One was sent in 1989 to a farm in the State of São Paulo which belongs to one of the company directors. No 6 is identical and stands nearby on concrete in the yard and is expected to be sent elsewhere at any moment. The two locos were sent here in 1989. Hahmann & Small (1985) give b/w photo prior to restoration work (p.106) and give serial no. (wrongly) as 57688.

`Parked' on concrete. Last visit June 1993

The plate reads "57668/1924" (as with no.7). PEW & DTS 1981 give 53375/1920.

2.8. USINA BULHÕES (near Jaboatão). 750mm gauge.

The lamp fittings are labelled "The Pyle-National Company Chicago USA". On display, painted, in good condition. Last visit: Oct 1993.

This could be #1, O & K, 9371, 1921; the tanks have been altered [Mabb].

[TF: Photo looks German (O&K?)].

2.9. USINA JABOATÃO (Near Escada) 750mm gauge.

The plaque reads: "Orenstein & Koppel S.A. Berlim - Rio de Janeiro. Agentes no Recife. A.O. Coimbra & Co. Caixa 151". CRJ #55(83) reports that this was certainly built to 750mm gauge. On display, in rapidly deteriorating condition. I met an ex-engine driver who recalled that there were 10 working locos originally. He remembered a series number (7085) which was on several plaques on the loco; he often bet this number in the lottery.

[Staszewski: O&K series 7082-7085 04/1914 were built for the Russian fortress of Kovno, now Kaunas in Lithuania].

Railway ceased at this Usina in 1976/77. Last visit: Oct 1993.

DTS 1981 also reports the following locos, which no longer exist at the Usina:

EFS on plate, German aspect. CRJ #55(1983) says ex-Sorocabana Rly & called "Engo. C.M.Ivanco". [TF: "may be Ivancko", "Built as Tramway Cantareira No.5 as 600mm gauge 2.6.2T. This tramway became Sorocabana in 1942. Built by Henschel – 20933/1928"].

Ex-Cia Mogiana, originally a 4-6-0. [TF "If it is No.502, it was built as Mogiana 2-8-0 No. 20 ‘Joaquim Pinto’. Later 502. Built as Sharp Stewart 3402/1887"]

2.10. USINA PUMATI (Near Palmares) 750mm gauge.

No locos remain at this Usina; all have been scrapped.

DTS 1976 reports:

[Ex-Cia Mogyana 70 as 2-4-2T] [TF "Built as 600mm gauge 2-4-2T, No.70 ‘Brumado’, later No.4. then No.3, then No.1"]

[German or other continental type boiler]

[1000mm gauge]

2.11. USINA MASSAU-ASSÚ. (Near Escada) 750mm gauge.

The front lamp fitting is labelled: "The Pyle National Co. Chicago Ill". Derelict, inside the now abandoned Usina. A worker reported that there had been 7 locos at the Usina.

KS builders list gives nos. 92, 93, 94 (1895) and nos. 98 & 99 (1896) as manufactured for Pernambuco Brazil.

[TF: "UK built, side tanks new? Probably one of Kerr Stuart 93, 94, 98 of 1896, probably no. 98; All of these were 750mm or 2’6" gauge"]

2.12. USINA TIMBÓ ASSÚ. (Near Escada) 600mm gauge.

No locomotives remain. There are reports of 2 John Fowlers {nos. 5443 & 5945}, and this tallies with the Works List. Workers reported that the railway ceased to function around 1960, and that the locos were taken to Usina Massau-Assú.

2.13. USINA ESTRELINHA. (Near Ribeirão)

No locos remain at this Usina.

2.14. USINA UNIÃO E INDUSTRIA. (Near Escada) 750mm gauge.

Railway use ceased during 1980. One loco survives, but it is derelict:

DTS 1976 & 1981 also report the following locos, which are no longer at this Usina:

KS Works List , however, gives 1282, 8/1913, 0-4-0T exported to Fry Miers & Co. Pernambuco Brazil.

DTS 1981 gives 0-10-0, but DTS 1976 gives 2-6-2, Klien Lindner design. CRJ #55(1983) gives 0-10-0T+T.

[TF: ‘Definitely an 0-10-0, but this type of loco looks like a 2-6-2 since coupling rods for leading and trailing wheels are on the inside’].

According to KS Works List: no. 99 was manufactured 9/1896, named "Andre Maria", and exported to Browns & Co, Pernambuco, Brazil.

Two plates hang in the manager's office: "Baldwin #60951, 1929" [DTS 1976 comments that this was new to Uzina Salgado in 1929], & "Harvey Engineering #2869, Glasgow 1913".

This loco stood derelict for many years in the grounds of a school playground [Colegio Santos Dumont] on Av. Barão de Souza Leão near Recife airport, but sadly has now (2001) been removed, presumably for scrap.

2.15. USINA FREI CANECA (Near Maraial) 750mm gauge.

No locos remain. However, I spotted #6 still surviving in 1994 at a scrap yard near Catende.

DTS 1976 & CRJ #40 (79/80) report:

Ex-U.S.Army 5017, 600mm gauge.

[TF: ‘0-6-2T in my notes, but built as 2-6-2T’]

Klien-Lindner design.

Klien-Lindner design, in steam in Oct 1981. Spotted at nearby scrap yard in 1994. Now restored and officially preserved on site http://www.usinaaltapaulista.com.br/locomotiva.html (link dead by 12th April 2018, update from Graham French, 26th December 2013). 

2.16. USINA ROÇADINHO. (Near Catende) 1000mm gauge.

This Usina was dismantled and taken to the State of Alagoas. No locos remain.

DTS 1976 reports:

KS Works List: exported with name "Roçadinho" to Fry Miers & Co, Pernambuco, Brazil"]

KS Works List: exported to Fry Miers & Co, Pernambuco, Brazil.

[TF: ‘May be "Limeria" ’].

Ex-Cia Mogyana 220, ex-Catende.

2.17. USINA 13 DE MAIO. (Outskirts of Palmares) 1000mm gauge.

On my visit in 1994 this loco was on display outside the Usina gates. DTS 1981 reported sighting at Usina Santana in Paraiba. Poor condition. Original plaques read "Timbo" & "J.Mello Filho". Sadly, in 1995 I came across this loco for sale at a scrap dealer’s in Recife.

2.18. USINA NOSSA SRA DE FATIMA. Ex-Usina Catende (Near Catende) 1000mm gauge.

Christian describes Usina Catende at the time of his visit as "the most exciting sugar plantation railroad in South America if not in the world".

KS Works List reports exported to Fry Miers & Co. Pernambuco, Brazil. DTS 1976 gives as ex-Usina Pirangi. The loco is preserved in the Usina owner's museum. Christian paints a picture of this KS "hustling around the yards pushing cars here and there" and prints a photo.

The following are no longer at this Usina (see Christian’s roster):

This was built as 750mm gauge for Imperial Russia and sold Aug 1924 to American Trading Co. (after Lenin interrupted delivery!).

[TF: no. 94 in Russia].

Both ex-French Government WW1Artillery Railway.

[TF: nos. 3 & 5 built 600mm].

[Staszewski: Hartmann series 4639-4645 (1924) were originally acquired by EF Sorocabana (nos 265-371)]

[TF: no. 13 probably ex-Mogyana. No. 14 as same history as no. 2, would have been no. 93 in Russia. "This loco however is also quoted as Central San Ramon, Granma, Cuba. This loco could be 58949 (no. 97) or 58950 (no. 98), both of which went to Brazil. No. 15 new as no. 12. No ? (above) ex-Mogyana 220. No. 19 new as EF Nazareth Bahia 13, ‘Almirante Muniz’. Nos. 22 & 28 ex-Sorocabana 272-299. No.22 new as Sorocabana no. 242. No.25 new as Sorocabana no. 270; afterwards E.F.Araraquara No.312"].

2.19. USINA SÃO JOSÉ (Near Igarassu) 750mm gauge.

Railway ceased in 1971. No locos remain at this Usina.

DTS 1976 reports :

2.20. USINA SANTA TERESA (Near Goiana) 750mm gauge.

Old spelling: Santa Theresa.

On display inside the industrial plant, in reasonable condition. The original agent's plate reads: "Dussault Chovil & Co. Birmingham. No 1981/1913". Bagnall Works List gives the original name as "Catu". Rail use ceased in 1976. Last visit November 1996.

Other locos no longer to be found at this Usina:

Bagnall Works List shows #6 originally built as a 2-4-0T and called "Santa Thereza". CRJ #55(1983) says ex-0-4-2T and rebuilt with a German boiler. Photo of ‘Batata’ in Baker &Allen Civil (1990).

PEW & CRJ #55 give this Baldwin as ex-Mogiana no.175, ex-600mm. gauge. [TF "No.9 Mogiana No.175, later No.12, then No.9 at Mogiana"].

Ex-Mogiana? [TF "If ex-Mogiana, it is one of No.27 (BLW 18471/00), later No.2, then No.9 or No.174 (BLW 28301/12) later No.11, then No.8"].

Ex-Mogiana? #11 is one of the Baldwins now owned by Mike Hart in the UK:

15511/1897, ex 2 foot gauge, runs at Ffestiniog in Wales.

[TF: Definitely ex-Mogyana no. 26, built as 600mm; the only one in the UK].

PEW says this is also reported as Porter 0-6-0T. CRJ #55 gives ex-USATC.

PEW also says this is reported as Porter 0-6-0T. DTS 1976 gives 0-6-2ST. CRJ #55 gives 0-6-2T & ex-USATC. [TF: nos. 13 & 15 both built as 2-6-2T].

2.21. USINA ALIANÇA (Near Goiana) 1000mm gauge.

Derelict. IRR #93/June 1982 gives b/w photo dated Oct. 1981; already derelict, and the only loco seen on the 1981 visit. KS Works List gives: Cylinders 8x12, 'Darwin' class, Usina Aliança no.2, imported by Barreto & Co, Pernambuco. No 1 was also a KS [1355/1914/0-6-2T]. DTS 1981 reports that the railway ceased about 1966.

2.22. USINA N.S.DAS MARAVILHAS. (Near Goiana) 750mm gauge.

Carries plate "Bromberg Hacker & Co". DTS 1976: Preserved at mill entrance, but on my last visit in 1997 it was abandoned at the back of the Usina.

[TF: probably built as 0-4-0T 600mm].

Ex-Usina Timbo & Rio Tinto 8/1976. Also abandoned at the back of the Usina. The loco still carries its original plates.

[TF: may in fact be 0-6-2WT?]

DTS 1976/1981 & CRJ #40 (1979/80) also report the following locos, which no longer exist at this Usina:

CRJ #40 gives KS 4019, but KS Works List gives no.4069 as shipped to Pernambuco, Brazil.

This loco may originally have been called "Das Maravilhas".

(Falcon 243/1896), previously called "Camaragibe"]

Ex-Usina Bom Jesus, Cabo, Pernambuco.

Reported in steam in 1981. Photo: IRR June 1982.

Ex-Usina Bom Jesus, Cabo.

2.23. USINA CRUANGI. (Near Timbaúba)

Plaque reads: "Orenstein & Koppel. Arthur Koppel. London E.C."

2.24. USINA OLHO D'AGUA. (45 kms from Goiana) 750mm gauge.

Preserved in excellent condition. Carries original works plate. 750mm. Last visit 1996.

2.25. USINA CAXANGA (Near Riberão) 600mm gauge.

No locos remain at this Usina. Colin Rainsbury, 600 Group reports:

This Usina closed c.1990. Workers reported to me that around 15 locos were scrapped c. 1965.

2.26. USINA PETRIBÚ (1000mm)

A plaque on the cab reads: "Kalkman, Irmãos & Böckman" (the importers). The loco may also be O&K 11657/1928, ex-Usina Timbo Assu. Usina Petribú is 7 kms from Carpina, and it had its own railway until the 1970’s. The loco is plinthed inside Usina grounds. Poor condition, rusty; an attempt to restore has been abandoned. May be O&K 11657/1928 ex-Usina Timbo Assu.

[TF: 11121 is a replacement boiler to this Usina. "My earlier notes say 0-4-2T preserved here as No 4, 0-8-0T".]

2.27. USINA IPOJUCA.

No engines remain at this Usina. Christian gives the roster as:

NOTE: Check on Usina Rio Una [TF: locos were once stored here].

STATE OF ALAGOAS.

3. USINAS.

3.1. USINA SERRA GRANDE. (Alagoas) 1000mm gauge.

General note: This Usina originally had 45 km of track, and 25 km have been maintained and are currently in use. Five steam locomotives are still working at the Usina; two bring in sugar cane from the plantation, and the other three are used for shunting in the yard. The Usina has its own railway workshop, and all the locomotives are overhauled once every two years. They claim to be able to repair anything in the workshop, and even make new wheels. In addition to the 5 working steam locomotives there are also two diesel locomotives. Between 25 - 30% of the cane harvest is carried to the mill by steam locomotive. The wood-burning locomotives use eucalyptus wood, and 2,000 of the 25,000 hectares of the Usina are given over to forestation. The jobs of 30 people depend directly on the use of the steam locomotives. The Usina rents a line from RFFSA, the state railway system, to carry cane. While there are no plans at the moment to extend the use of steam at the Usina, the engineers and the owner that I spoke with are very happy to maintain the role of steam power at the mill. The Usina is one of the very few prosperous and well run Sugar Estates in the north east of Brazil, and the second largest in the State of Alagoas. The Usina employs 4,000 workers directly, including 1,000 in the plant. On the Estate, which is largely self-sufficient, there are 2 farms, a hospital and 14 schools.

On my visit in March 1994: #1+#4+#6+#7 were in steam, #8 was in the workshop, and #2 had just been taken out of service and put on display outside the Usina’s museum. The two diesels had broken down, so I was regaled with 100% steam. Last visit November 2000, Nos 1 & 7 were steamed up for a visit by British enthusiasts. No further use of steam locos for sugar harvest.

In very good repair and still working. Photo published in LI Special 1993. Wood-burning. Used for shunting in the yard. 'Brazil' class, shipped to Fry Miers & Co in Maceió, Brazil.

[Farr: Builder’s list gives #1 and #2 as saddle tanks, but both are now side tanks].

Photo published in LI Special 1993. Wood-burning. Now retired from shunting in the yard, it is on display outside the Usina’s museum. 'Brazil' class, shipped to Fry Miers & Co, Maceió, Brazil.

[TF: nos. 1 & 2: builders list gives as built as saddle tanks].

In very good repair. Photo published in LI Special 1993. Wood-burning. Used for shunting in the yard. 'Matary' Class, sold to Carlos Lyra & Cia. Maceió, Brazil as No 6 ‘Mestre Borges'.

In very good repair. Photo published in LI Special 1993. Wood-burning. Possibly converted from saddle tank to tank. Used until recently for shunting in the yard.

This ‘shunting engine’ was made by the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works, Winterthur.

Used until recently to carry sugar cane to the plant. Photos published in LI Special 1993. One of two identical locos supplied to the Great Western of Brazil by SLM (#224 & #225). Converted from burning wood to fuel oil and still in almost daily use in harvest time bringing in sugar cane from the plantation. This loco is the star attraction for the workers at festivities in September and on New Year's Eve. [TF "GWBR No.225 later GWBR No.14".]

This Linke-Hofman-Werke is in very good repair. Photo published in LI Special 1993. Wood-burning. This is the second loco which has been used until recently to bring in sugar cane from the plantation.

[TF: Probably ex-Paulista no.14 of probable 600mm gauge – given its size, it may have been 750mm or metre gauge on the Paulista. This came from Usina Leão Utinga].]

Other locos reported by PEW which are no longer to be found at this Usina:

R Hudson plates, ex-War Office Chepstow, ex-2ft gauge 0-6-0WT. Now scrapped. DTS 1976 and CRJ 40 report that it was possibly built as an 0-6-0T by Hudswell Clarke.

[TF: Definitely built by Hudswell Clarke – Hudson was an agent. Built as 0-6-0WT for war Office Chepstow but actually at Admiralty, National Shipyard no.2, Beachley Dock, Glou. However, it is not certain that this loco came over to Brazil].

Scrapped.

[TF: This Usina also had two Orensteins (0-4-2T?) 9435/25 and 4188/10]

3.2. USINA CORURIPE (south of Alagoas).

The loco is on display in the garden of the Usina’s manager. Last visit: May 1993. Photo published in LI Special 1993. It is the only one of the five locomotives on display at the Usina that carries an original plate, which reads: "Arn Jung. G.m.b.H. JUNGENTHAL. bei Kirchen an der Sieg. No.4215. 1928". A second plaque on the cab reads: "Herm. Stoltz & Co. Pernambuco" (Stoltz Brothers & Co) which presumably was the company that imported the locomotive.

Last visit: May 1993. Photo published in LI Special 1993. This is one of 4 locomotives on display on the large roundabout at the Usina entrance. All four locomotives are fitted with a pipe that, during the cane harvest and milling period, runs steam through the boiler to the chimney, day and night. All four locomotives have been painted, very attractively, but certainly not in their original colours. It is unlikely that the names painted on the side of each of these locomotives are original; they sound like popular names, of appeal to children. In this case, 'Maroca' is an affectionate way of saying 'Mary'. "Maroca" seems to be identical to # 4215 and "Catita", and I assume all three date from the same importation.

[TF: Plate 4215 was on ‘Maroca’ at one time].

"Catita" is the name given to a small mouse.

D-Feldbahn type. May be ex-WW1. Photo published in LI Special 1993. A date on the front left cylinder reads: "28-5-1895". 'Laura Preta' means 'Black Laura'.

May also be ex-WW1. Photo published in LI Special 1993. This locomotive is practically identical to "Laura Preta". The name means 'Little Pig".

[Farr: Both the 0-8-0Ts are ex DFB but neither was built as early as 1895.]

3.3. USINA LEÃO UTINGA (Near Rio Largo). 1000mm gauge.

PEW writes that the line started in 1894 as 600mm gauge animal traction. There were 7km of 550mm gauge railway in 1909, and metre gauge was introduced in 1922.

Abandoned and practically derelict, outside industrial plant. DTS 1981 reports that #5+#10+#11 were in fine condition. Original works photo published in LI #21, 1993. Last visit: August 1993.

Photo in Walker (1997)

Abandoned and in poor condition. PEW reports that this loco was rebuilt to metre gauge from 600mm ex-ROD 4-6-0T No 2341 (another source gives no.1313). Binns reports that it was built for the War Office London No. 2341, but delivery was refused. Purchased new to Maceió, Brazil (via Robert Hudson), and rebuilt to metre gauge. DTS 1976 & 1981 give year as 1921. During re-building the frame has been reversed beneath the boiler. Last visit: August 1993.

[Andrew Burnham in LI 54: "This was re-gauged to metre gauge by the maker in 1921, receiving an extended bunker and cab, a new smokebox saddle on widened frames, a new boiler, and the name ‘Pao Amarelo’. This change to 0-6-2T was local, a second and separate process".]

New to Kurt Lipschutz, 500mm gauge. [TF: Preserved outside the mill office, seen in early 2000].

Other locos no longer found at this Usina:

Both #2 & #3 to Altair Baranca, Paraná.

[TF: #2 was Jung 1864/12 built as 500mm but could have been rebuilt metre gauge 0-4-2T. No 3 was Maffei 0-4-0T]

Purchased new to A.O. Coimbra & Cia, 500mm gauge. Taken to Museu Paulista de Antiguidades Mecanicas, Caçapava, SP, before 1983.

[TF: no. 4 was 500mm].

Reportedly taken to Tecidos Othon Bezarra, Maceió for preservation, but I have been unable to locate.

Purchased new to Francisco Quitiesa, via Coimbra & Cia, Recife, rebuilt from 4-6-0.

Via Coimbra & Cia, Recife.

DTS 1981 reports this as ex-Paulista, 750mm.

[TF: no. 11 went to Usina Serra Grande where it is no. 8].

3.4. USINA SINIMBÚ (São Miguel dos Campos)

Ex-Usina Sinimbú, on display inside factory grounds of Fives Lille Industrial do Nordeste, near Maceió airport. Reasonable condition. Last visit: Aug 1993.

[TF: Ex Usina Sinimbú – ‘Vitória’ of ‘Midge’ class].

3.5. USINA SANTO ANTONIO. (Near São Luis do Quitunde).

No locos remain at this Usina.

[TF: The 0-4-2T ‘Sinimbú’ once preserved must have been scrapped].

4. FABRICA DE PEDRA (Near Delmiro Gouveia)

One locomotive has survived from the Paulo Afonso Railway that once belonged to the GWBR network, but has been closed since 1964.

Wonderfully preserved with tender at the Fabrica de Pedra (a cotton factory in Delmiro Gouveia, ex-Pedra, near the Paulo Afonso falls on the River São Francisco). It now runs with an electric motor along a 50 metre track in front of the original railway station of Pedra within the factory museum. A legend can be made out on the axle box of the tender: "SPR. ORDER 5135. HENRICOT. 1926" ; perhaps ex-São Paulo Railway?

5. CITY OF PALMEIRA DOS INDIOS.

On display in main square. Poor condition, driving rods missing. Probably came from Usina Capricho.

STATE OF PARAIBA.

6. CAMPINA GRANDE

Plinthed near railway station, but in poor condition. The chimney has label: "patent applied for".

[TF: Baldwin 55359, new as Inspetoria Federal de Obras. Metre gauge].

7 USINAS IN THE STATE OF PARAIBA

7.1. USINA SANTA RITA. (Near Santa Rita) 1000mm gauge.

Now stands in garden of house on the outskirts of João Pessoa. In good condition, it carries the original plaques: "Henschel & Sohn, Cassel, No 11142. 1912" & "F.L. Ribeiro Coutinho & Irmãos. Usina Santa Rita". DTS 1981reports that this loco was steamed for the group visit, although the railway was not in use at that time. No locomotives remain now at this Usina.

DTS 1981 & CRJ #55(1983) also report O&K 0-6-2WT 11886/1929 at this Usina. Last visit 1995.

7.2. USINA SANTANA. 1000mm gauge.

Usina Santana is near João Pessoa. DTS 1981 reports that this loco was in steam, but it is now abandoned and derelict, the only surviving loco at this Usina. It still carries the original plates: "João Ribeiro. Usina Sant'Anna" & "Orenstein & Koppel S.A. Berlin-Rio de Janeiro. Agentes no Recife, Kalkmann Irmãos & Böckmann Ltda." DTS 1981 also reported seeing Baldwin 0-6-0T "Timbo", which was later removed to Usina 13 de Maio in Palmares, Alagoas, but now stands forlorn in a Recife scrap-yard.

7.3. USINA SÃO JOÃO. (Near Santa Rita) 1000mm gauge.

Near João Pessoa. All the locos have survived, but are now derelict. Railway ceased in 1976 or 1978. Details taken from DTS 1981 & CRJ #55(1983). Now (14th April 2013), a report showed that the Baldwin has been cosmetically restored.

CRJ #55(1983) gives as ex-USATC. Different sources quote number as previously 2 or 14.

CRJ #55 gives as #1956, but this does not tally with the Works List.

CRJ #55 gives as ex-Usina Nossa Senhora do Patrocino J.U.I.]

CRJ #55 notes this has also been cited as a St Leonard of 1887.

7.4. USINA MONTE ALEGRE. (Near Mamanguape, 45 kms from João Pessoa) 1000mm gauge.

DTS 1981 & CRJ #55(1983) give "HSP 1897 and St Leonard" (Haine St Pierre, Belgium) on the motion. Stood outside a scrap yard for years on Av.Batalha in Recife, near the airport, but was finally sold in 1995.

[TF: "I have seen this as Jung 1897/12; probable that frame is St Leonard 758/87 new to Companhia dos Engenhos Centrais do Prov de Parahybe de Norte et Sergipe. Another possibility is Jung 1897/12"]

Stored under cover, condition still reasonable, but deteriorating. DTS 1981 & CRJ #55(1983) report ex-Usina São João.

7.5. USINA SANTA HELENA. (Near Sape) 1000mm gauge.

No locos remain as this Usina. DTS 1981 reports a loco of ‘British aspect’:

Railway ceased about 1976.

[TF: "Henschel 20891/1927", "GWBR 228 later GWBR No.311"]]

7.6. FABRICA RIO TINTO (Near João Pessoa)

Last visit June 2000.

Note: Same name as no.5 no longer found at Usina Maravilhas (Section 2.22).

STATE OF BAHIA.

8.1. SALVADOR .

Central Railway Station (Calçada) - not present in 2009 reports Oliver Bühler, new location is unknown

Beautifully preserved in the covered foyer of the Central Station. Initials on cab read LB – (Leste Brasileiro Railway). Restored in RFFSA workshop in Alagoinhas, Bahia. This 1000mm gauge loco is definitely German in origin.

Under cover in railway yard; poor condition. Also worked on the Leste Brasileiro Railway. 1000mm gauge. Last visit 1997. [TF "Built as E.F. Bahia e São Francisco No.16 for use on E.F.Timbo a Propria section, became C.F.Federaux L’Est Brasilians No.209".] Reported by Oliver Bühler in 2009 to be in poor, poor condition. 

Museu de Ciência e Tecnología.

Ex-Leste Brasileiro. Poor condition; abandoned (along with the museum!). Photo in Guimarães (1993). One source gives as ex-EFCB (Central do Brasil), manufactured 1938, and acquired in 1959 by Leste Brasileiro. Reported by Oliver Bühler in 2009 to have been restored, Oliver reports the museum closed by October 2019 and the locomotive removed to an unknown location.

8.2. ALAGOINHAS [Oficina Arlindo Luz, RFFSA].

Plinthed and covered in the grounds of the workshop. Excellent state of preservation (restored in 1986). Originally worked on Petrolina-Teresina Railway, then worked in south of Bahia.

[TF: This works no. Is a replacement boiler number].

Poor condition. American? This loco was renovated in 1949, when the original wood of the cab and some parts of the boiler were substituted. A plaque gives the following information: the first loco to run on the ‘Tram Road’; acquired in May 1873; inaugurated the ‘trecho do Onha’ of the Nazaré Railway in 1875. Workers I spoke to explained that it was restored in 1949, and that it came from Nazaré (who would now like to have it back!). Last visit October 1995.

[TF: looks French/German].

9. USINAS IN THE STATE OF BAHIA. 

9.1. USINA PASSAGEM. (Near Santo Amaro) 1000mm gauge.

Purchased new with the name "Guilhermina".

See DTS 1981 & CRJ #56(83/84). The latter also reports #4 0-6-0DM. Unable to verify.

9.2. USINA PARANAGUA. (Near Terra Nova) 1000mm gauge.

This is not the original #1, which was Baldwin 2-4-2ST. This loco was purchased new by Usina Passagem as the "Sinhasinha No.1" and later acquired by Usina Paranagua.

See DTS 1981 & CRJ #56(83/84). Unable to verify.

9.3. USINA CINCO RIOS. (Near São Sebastião) 1000mm gauge.

The Usina was closed down in c.1990. Railway ceased operating in 1976/77. No engines remain. Workers told me that they remember 5 locomotives.

DTS 1981 reports:

Preserved at Fazenda Lagoas, Lagoas, near Santo Amaro.

#3 & #4 La Meuse 0-6-0Ts scrapped. See DTS 1981 & CRJ #56(83/84).

[TF: nos. 2 & 5 = ex-Port de Bahia].

9.4. USINA ITAPETINGUI.

This small tank loco is on display at the entrance to the Usina.

A second loco, No.1, has been sent to the Museu do Recóncavo (see below). Last visit 1996.

10. CANDEIAS. Museu do Recóncavo (‘Museu Wanderley de Pinho’)

This loco is from Usina Itapetingui. Very poor condition – the museum has disgracefully allowed the loco to become derelict, and the curator tried first (unsuccessfully) to prevent me from seeing this disgrace, and then to prevent me (also unsuccessfully) from taking a photo. Last visit 1996.

11. ILHÉUS.

Derelict in front of the DETRAN building. Last visit Aug 1999.

Loco number on front begins #1 (second digit is missing).

12. VALENÇA.

A friend has seen a steam locomotive is on display in this town (in 2000).

STATE OF RIO GRANDE DO NORTE

12.1. USINA ESTIVAS. (Near Arês)

Loco reported in garden of the Usina President. Unable to verify as yet.

12.2. USINA SÃO FRANCISCO (Near Ceará-Mirim) 1000mm gauge.

Plaques read:"J.A.Maffei. Locomotivfabrik. München. 1926"; "U.N.S.do Patrocinio. J.U.I." (Usina Nossa Senhora). Abandoned, poor condition. Last visit 1996.

[TF: Works list gives 4243].

12.3. FAZENDA IGARAPÉ. (Near Ceará-Mirim) 1000mm gauge.

On display in garden. Reasonable condition.

[TF: May be British; more likely German. Possibly ex-Usina São Francisco. Another source suggests KS 1815 (but does not tally with works list)].

STATE OF CEARÁ.

13. 1. FORTALEZA. Railway Museum.

On display in the grounds of the Centro de Preservação da História Ferroviaria do Ceará, Francisco Sá 4829. Last visit 1996. This loco ran on the Rede Viária do Ceará railway. Original plaque on boiler door. Open air exhibit, getting rusty. 1000mm gauge.

[TF: "One of ALCO 62912-62917/1921, new to Inspetoria Federal de Viação Cearense 1-6"].

13.2. BATURITÉ.

On display in grounds of the Baturité Railway Station, 103 km from Fortaleza. Good condition, 1000mm gauge. Last visit 1997.

[TF: Looks American].

STATE OF PIAUÍ.

14. PARNAÍBA.

On display on Av. São Sebastião in front of the São Francisco Church. Seen by friends in early 1998.

[TF: Looks American].

STATE OF MARANHÃO.

15. SÃO LUIS.

Open air exhibit near the Railway Station. This loco worked on the Maranhão-Piauí line. Guimarães (1993) describes this as a shunting engine which came into service in 1909. Recently (1995) overhauled & painted. Last visit 1997.

Perhaps O&K 12659/1935 (but check with list).

[TF: "OK 12659 was boiler to E.F.Sta Luis"]

STATE OF PARÁ.

16. APEU, CASTANHAL (62 km from Belém, State of Pará)

Plinthed, but in rapidly deteriorating condition. Photo published in LI Special 1993. Last visit: June 1993. This locomotive worked on the Belém-Bragança railway, and is apparently the only one that has survived in the region. The locomotive stands with its tender and a carriage. It is possible to make out on the front cylinders: "BLW ₇₂ 1920. 157754"

REFERENCES:

Acknowledgements:

Binns: Correspondence between Donald Binns and the author.

CRJ. Continental Railway Journal.

DTS 1976: Dorridge Travel Service Ltd - Derek Ibbotson's notes on "Industrial visits to the Brazilian sugar lines" Dec 1976, based on visits made in Oct 1976.

DTS 1981: Dorridge Travel Service Ltd - Derek Ibbotson's notes on "Industrial visits to the Brazilian sugar lines" Jan 1982, based on visits made in Oct/Nov 1981.

IRR: Industrial Railway Record magazine.

LI: Locomotives International magazine.

Mabb: Correspondence and discussion with Fred Mabbott, who very generously provided me with valuable Works Lists.

PEW: Correspondence with Dr P E Waters (who kindly provided data).

TF: Correspondence with Tommy Farr.