3950, EFDTC Union class (ex Union Pacific) waits for clearance to head out to the transfer station with its long load of coal. This class of locomotive began life as a UP Challenger, but now well past her prime she finds a new life as a heavy mallet working the mine tracks in Brazil. Regauged to 3'6", she dwarfs the other locomotives on the line.
Easing onto the trestle, 3950 starts to pick up a bit of speed. Most of her short, but heavy train is up over the grade at the back of the station. Once she's across this, it's highball all the way to the transfer station. The railroad has several such bridges, all recently reinforced with steel stringers to hold this massive beast.
Starting the climb up Hill 101, the Union class shows exactly why the EFDTC bought three of these aging engines. Perviously, it took no less than three texas type locomotives to tackle this grade. Even the new diesel locomotives can't handle this 3% grade without some help, yet the Unions (there are 3) can do it without missing a beat.
Halfway up the hill, and already pushing a steady fourty MPH, 3950 hammers the rails mercilessly. The big Unions are hard on the light track, prompting the railroad to start measures to rebuild much of it to a heavier weight. For now, however, there's only a few places such as outside Cristina where these beasts can really stretch their legs and show how built for speed they really are.
More pics coming, and yes, you're not seeing things. That IS a narrow gauge Challenger.