In 1905, German locomotive manufacturer, Orenstein & Koppel built its No. 1645, a 150 hp, 760 mm gauge 0-4-4-0 Mallet for use on the island of Cuba.
I've been unable to determine which sugar mill ended up with this monster or what number it wore during service.
Can anybody provide a little history of its travels, demise, etc.????
Thanks, in advance, for your help.


hankmorris@earthlink.net

For what little it's worth, the loco is apparently not listed in "Industrial Steam Locomotives of Cuba", the Industrial Railway Society's (UK) definitive roster of former and existing Cuban steam locomotives. The book lists operating, stored, dismembered, and scrapped Cuban industrial locos (99% sugar plantation). By a certain amount of default I would thus assume that the loco never even survived until the Castro revolution.

lner4472@bcpl.net

I concur, it apparently disappeared long before the MINAZ numbering system was even instituted.

Your best bet is Martin Murray. He has written what I think is the definitive book on Orenstein & Koppel; he also has an on-line list of surviving O&K steam locomotives (link below.) He may know what happened to it.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

Preserved Orenstein & Koppel Steam Locomotives
james1@pernet.net

> I concur, it apparently disappeared long
> before the MINAZ numbering system was even
> instituted.

> Your best bet is Martin Murray. He has
> written what I think is the definitive book
> on Orenstein & Koppel; he also has an
> on-line list of surviving O&K steam
> locomotives (link below.) He may know what
> happened to it.

> -James Hefner
> Hebrews 10:20a
Mr Murray was kind enough to provide the information I already have. I was hoping someone else might be able to "fill in the blanks."
Thanks for trying.
Hank Morris

hankmorris@earthlink.net