FC de Junin
Encyclopedia
The Ferrocarril de Junin was a narrow gauge railway operating in northern Chile, and was built to serve the nitrate
workings. The terminal of the railway was located at the port of Junin, and the railway was opened in 1894. The first section of the railway consisted of a 1km incline plane, rising from the port to 674 metres above sea-level, that is a 67.4% grade. From the top of the incline there was a 51km main line to Oficina Reducto. Branching off the main line was a 17km branch to Aragon, and 8 other branches totalling 39km.
The locomotive stock consisted of five 0-6-2 tank locomotive
s of British manufacture, as well as two 0-6+6-0 Fairlie locomotives manufactured by the Yorkshire Engine Company
. The railway operated in one of the driest areas on earth, and cartage of water for the steam locomotive boilers was a major expense. In 1930 the railway purchased a 1-C-1 diesel-hydraulic locomotive constructed by the Hunslet Engine Company
. This locomotive, named Junin, is believed to be the first to have used the road switcher
layout. Although a success the locomotive failed to avert the closure of the railway in 1931.
Nitrate
The nitrate ion is a polyatomic ion with the molecular formula NO and a molecular mass of 62.0049 g/mol. It is the conjugate base of nitric acid, consisting of one central nitrogen atom surrounded by three identically-bonded oxygen atoms in a trigonal planar arrangement. The nitrate ion carries a...
workings. The terminal of the railway was located at the port of Junin, and the railway was opened in 1894. The first section of the railway consisted of a 1km incline plane, rising from the port to 674 metres above sea-level, that is a 67.4% grade. From the top of the incline there was a 51km main line to Oficina Reducto. Branching off the main line was a 17km branch to Aragon, and 8 other branches totalling 39km.
The locomotive stock consisted of five 0-6-2 tank locomotive
Tank locomotive
A tank locomotive or tank engine is a steam locomotive that carries its water in one or more on-board water tanks, instead of pulling it behind it in a tender. It will most likely also have some kind of bunker to hold the fuel. There are several different types of tank locomotive dependent upon...
s of British manufacture, as well as two 0-6+6-0 Fairlie locomotives manufactured by the Yorkshire Engine Company
Yorkshire Engine Company
The Yorkshire Engine Company was a small independent locomotive manufacturer in Sheffield, England. The Company was formed in 1865 and continued to produce locomotives and carry out general engineering work until 1965...
. The railway operated in one of the driest areas on earth, and cartage of water for the steam locomotive boilers was a major expense. In 1930 the railway purchased a 1-C-1 diesel-hydraulic locomotive constructed by the Hunslet Engine Company
Hunslet Engine Company
The Hunslet Engine Company is a British locomotive-building company founded in 1864 at Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England by John Towlerton Leather, a civil engineering contractor, who appointed James Campbell as his Works Manager.In 1871, James Campbell bought the company for...
. This locomotive, named Junin, is believed to be the first to have used the road switcher
Road switcher
A road switcher is a type of railroad locomotive used for delivering or picking up cars outside of a railroad yard. Since the road switcher must work some distance away from a yard, it needs to be able to operate at road speeds, it must also have high-visibility while it is switching, and it must...
layout. Although a success the locomotive failed to avert the closure of the railway in 1931.