Ferrocarril Mexicano No. 183

Ferrocarril Mexicano (FCM) No. 183 was one of three R-3 Class 0-6-6-0T steam locomotives built by Vulcan Foundry in 1911 for the National Railways of Mexico (N de M).
No. 183 was a Double Fairlie type steam locomotive based on the designs by Robert Francis Fairlie. Essentially this places the cab over two fireboxes which feed two boilers, which in turn feed two sets of driving wheels which are placed on articulated trucks for maximum tractive effort. The engine didn't have a standard front and back as it was designed to be driven in both directions, eliminating the need for a turntable. 
This locomotive had a distinctly American appearance compared to other Double Fairlie locomotives likely being heavily re-built over time. There were rectangular tanks on top of the boilers, which was the usual arrangement on oil-fired Fairlies. Heat from the boilers kept the oil warm and prevented it from becoming too viscous in cold weather since it was devoid of superheaters or modern valve arrangements. 
The N de M primarily used Fairlies on a mountainous stretch of line between Mexico City and Veracruz. At least 49 of these enormous Fairlies were built, supplied, and imported from various locomotive companies situated in the United Kingdom between 1871-1911. No. 183 was part of the final batch to be sent over. They were built to standard gauge, weighing about 125 short tons (112 long tons; 113 t) apiece, and to this day are considered to be the most powerful Fairlie locomotives ever built. 
No. 183 was used in service until it was eventually scrapped in 1924 when the line was electrified and due to the immense operating cost. 
Category:Steam locomotives
Category:Double Fairlie locomotives
Category:Mexico
Category:Locomotives
Category:Scrapped locomotives
Category:Vulcan Foundry locomotives
Category:Built in 1911
Category:0-6-6-0 locomotives
Category:0-6-6-0 steam locomotives
Category:Racked locomotives
Category:Oil-fired locomotives
Category:Tank locomotives
Category:Mexican Railroads
Category:Standard gauge locomotives
Category:Articulated locomotives
Category:Mexican Locomotives