Renfe 030: Spanish steam locomotive

Société Autrichienne RENFE 030

Renfe Serie 030-2107 “El Alagón”

RENFE 030 is a series of 030 type steam locomotives that operated on the Caminos de Hierro del Norte de España (Iron Roads of Northern Spain), although they were used by different companies until 1941.

The Norte models were unique in that the valves and valve gear were located on the outside, making them easily accessible. Another distinctive feature of this machine is its old low boiler without a steam dome. The governor was inside a small box behind the chimney, but on steep slopes it often failed due to water getting into the cylinders.

History

Between 1860 and 1864, the Northern Spanish Railway Company purchased several dozen type 120 locomotives from France, which were grouped into the “Norte” series (1301–1386).

In the 1870s, the Medina del Campo—Salamanca Railway Company (MCS) acquired several locomotives of this series. One of these locomotives, number 9, was modernized and converted into the 030 type.

In 1928, the Norte series was incorporated into the National Company of Western Railways of Spain (Oeste). Oeste locomotive number 119 (formerly MCS locomotive number 9) was the only one to continue operating under RENFE after the nationalization of the Iberian railways in 1941. It was renamed RENFE 030-2107. After finishing its career, this locomotive was stored for many years in the depot of Cuenca station. It can currently be seen at the Madrid Railway Museum.