Golwé locomotive
Encyclopedia
The Golwé was a type of articulated
steam locomotive
manufactured in France
for use in its West African colonies.
The front engine unit swivelled under the boiler
and smokestack, in a similar manner to a Meyer
and looking somewhat like a Mallet
; in contrast a Garratt
had its front bogie in front of the boiler. The rear engine unit was placed underneath the tender, in a manner similar to a Garratt
; however a Garratt
carried its coal and water directly on the rear bogie, while the Golwé carried them on the central frame. The rear bogie cylinders were placed under the cab, at the front of the rear unit. A float-controlled automatic device reduced the cut-off of the rear cylinders to prevent slipping when the water tank was running low. The firebox hung low between the two engine units, and so could be of generous size.
Four 2-6-6-2 locomotives were supplied to the metre-gauge Ivory Coast railways in 1930, and three to the Congo-Ocean Railway
in the French Congo
. The Congo-Ocean railway received two more of the same type in 1935 and five of a modified 2-6-6-4 type. Both railways later turned to Garratt locomotives for their articulated locomotive needs.
Articulated locomotive
Articulated locomotive usually means a steam locomotive with one or more engine units which can move independent of the main frame. This is done to allow a longer locomotive to negotiate tighter curves...
steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
manufactured in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
for use in its West African colonies.
The front engine unit swivelled under the boiler
Boiler
A boiler is a closed vessel in which water or other fluid is heated. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications.-Materials:...
and smokestack, in a similar manner to a Meyer
Meyer locomotive
A Meyer locomotive is a type of articulated locomotive. The design was never as popular as the Garratt or Mallet locomotives. It can be best regarded as 19th Century competition for the early compound Mallet and also the Fairlie articulated designs....
and looking somewhat like a Mallet
Mallet locomotive
The Mallet Locomotive is a type of articulated locomotive, invented by a Swiss engineer named Anatole Mallet ....
; in contrast a Garratt
Garratt
A Garratt is a type of steam locomotive that is articulated in three parts. Its boiler is mounted on the centre frame, and two steam engines are mounted on separate frames, one on each end of the boiler. Articulation permits larger locomotives to negotiate curves and lighter rails that might...
had its front bogie in front of the boiler. The rear engine unit was placed underneath the tender, in a manner similar to a Garratt
Garratt
A Garratt is a type of steam locomotive that is articulated in three parts. Its boiler is mounted on the centre frame, and two steam engines are mounted on separate frames, one on each end of the boiler. Articulation permits larger locomotives to negotiate curves and lighter rails that might...
; however a Garratt
Garratt
A Garratt is a type of steam locomotive that is articulated in three parts. Its boiler is mounted on the centre frame, and two steam engines are mounted on separate frames, one on each end of the boiler. Articulation permits larger locomotives to negotiate curves and lighter rails that might...
carried its coal and water directly on the rear bogie, while the Golwé carried them on the central frame. The rear bogie cylinders were placed under the cab, at the front of the rear unit. A float-controlled automatic device reduced the cut-off of the rear cylinders to prevent slipping when the water tank was running low. The firebox hung low between the two engine units, and so could be of generous size.
Four 2-6-6-2 locomotives were supplied to the metre-gauge Ivory Coast railways in 1930, and three to the Congo-Ocean Railway
Congo-Ocean Railway
The Congo–Ocean Railway links the Atlantic port of Pointe-Noire with Brazzaville, a distance of 502 kilometres...
in the French Congo
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo , sometimes known locally as Congo-Brazzaville, is a state in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo , the Angolan exclave province of Cabinda, and the Gulf of Guinea.The region was dominated by...
. The Congo-Ocean railway received two more of the same type in 1935 and five of a modified 2-6-6-4 type. Both railways later turned to Garratt locomotives for their articulated locomotive needs.