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PLM Algérie 231-132 AT and BT
Algeria | 1932
13 produced
231-132 BT 1
231-132 BT 1
flickr/Historical Railway Images

At the beginning of the thirties, the PLM in Algeria needed very powerful express locomotives, as the compound ten-wheelers used there had reached their limits, even when running in double. The specifications stipulated that the new locomotive alone should be able to pull trains with 19 to 29 cars sufficiently quickly over the ramps, which had often two percent, and should also have a maximum speed of 110 km/h or 68 mph. The result was a Garratt as a “Double Pacific” with 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) driving wheels

In 1932, a first prototype was built at Franco-Belge, which was tested first in France and then in Algeria. A special feature was the rotating coal bunker patented by Beyer-Peacock, which automatically transported the coal towards the cab. The cab was generously sized and had a fan to improve comfort in high temperatures. There were also controls in both directions and the Cossart valve gear was electrically actuated.

During the tests, up to 73 cars were successfully transported and the required speed was easily achieved with normal trains. The pulling power of the Garratt was now equated with the pulling power of 2.4 ten-wheelers. Only the special design of the coal bunker led to vibrations above 120 km/h, so it was no longer used in series production. The Kylchap exhaust system was replaced in the series by the usual double chimney of the PLM. The series locomotives were also given a streamlined casing.

After the 231-132 AT, twelve 231-132 BT were built in 1936, which reached up to 132 km/h (82 mph) and were therefore probably the fastest Garratts ever. On a better track, it was even expected that up to 140 km/h would be possible. When the first diesel locomotives were introduced after the Second World War, maintenance of the Garratts decreased. They were brought to Spain and scrapped at the beginning of the fifties.

Variant231-132 AT231-132 BT
General
Built19321936
ManufacturerFranco-Belge
Axle config4-6-2+2-6-4T (Double Pacific (Garratt)) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length96 ft 4 11/16 in
Wheelbase31 ft 0 1/16 in
Rigid wheelbase12 ft 10 5/16 in
Total wheelbase86 ft 11 11/16 in
Service weight423,287 lbs466,498 lbs
Adhesive weight224,871 lbs238,099 lbs
Axle load37,479 lbs39,683 lbs
Water capacity6,604 us gal7,529 us gal
Fuel capacity15,432 lbs (coal)coal
Boiler
Grate area54.6 sq ft58.1 sq ft
Firebox area236.8 sq ft220.3 sq ft
Tube heating area2,543.3 sq ft2,574.6 sq ft
Evaporative heating area2,780.1 sq ft2,795 sq ft
Superheater area742.7 sq ft975.2 sq ft
Total heating area3,522.8 sq ft3,770.2 sq ft
Variant231-132 AT231-132 BT
Power Plant
Driver diameter70.9 in
Boiler pressure232 psi290 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylindersfour, 19 5/16 x 26 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power2,280 hp (1,700 kW)2,548 hp (1,900 kW)
Optimal speed27 mph24 mph
Top speed68 mph
Starting effort53,840 lbf67,294 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
express
Garratt
tank locomotive
last changed: 01/2024
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