Central Argentino class 5C

In the early 1880s, when eight-coupled locomotives were only known in the USA and in the Alps, the Central Argentino needed more powerful freight locomotives than the existing six-coupled ones. This became order No. E813 of Sharp, Stewart & Co., which delivered two 0-8-0 locomotives to the FCCA in 1883. These were No. 22 “Iriguyen” and No. 23 “Roca” which carried the works numbers 3038 and 3039. The cylinders measured 20 by 26 inches and the wheels had a diameter of 4 feet 6 inches. The four coupled axles sometimes led to derailments in sharp curves or on switches, so that changes had to be made to the tracks. No additional orders followed and even the British took some more years to introduce their first eight-coupled locomotives in their own country. The next eight-coupled locomotives in Argentina were only delivered in 1904 to the Ferrocarril del Sur.