RENFE MZA-601 : Spanish switcher locomotive

RENFE MZA-601 (020-0231)

RENFE MZA-601 is a tank locomotive, known by the nickname “cuckoo”. It was the first in a series of ten locomotives that were ordered by the Compañía de los Ferrocarriles Madrid–Zaragoza y Alicante (MZA) for shunting work.

However, although only a small number of locomotives were purchased for this purpose, it was common practice to reuse older, less powerful but still serviceable locomotives for regular shunting work on the line. In this way, their service life was extended for many years.

The locomotives of this series were designed specifically for work in Mediterranean ports. They were small in size, had two coupled axles and ran on saturated steam.

The locomotives of this series were fired by coal, which was burned in a copper Belpaire hearth with a flat ceiling. They were equipped with Salter inclined safety valves and the innovative Walschaërts steam distribution system, which was considered state-of-the-art at the time.