How does a Garratt locomotive work?

Beyer-Garratt, type of steam locomotive characterized by tremendous hauling capacity and light axle loads. This British-built locomotive had two articulated pivoting chassis, each with its own wheels, cylinders, and water tanks. These chassis supported a girder frame that carried a boiler, cab, and the fuel supply.

How do Shay locomotives work?

Shay locomotives had regular fire-tube boilers offset to the left to provide space for, and counterbalance the weight of, a two or three cylinder "motor," mounted vertically on the right with longitudinal drive shafts extending fore and aft from the crankshaft at wheel axle height.

What is a Garrett train?

A Garratt (often referred to as a Beyer Garratt) is a type of steam locomotive invented by British engineer Herbert William Garratt that is articulated into three parts. Its boiler, firebox, and cab are mounted on a centre frame or "bridge".

How does a coal burning train work?

Air flows up through the grates allowing the coal to burn hotter. The hot gases released from the coal flow forward through a series of flues or tubes to the front of the locomotive. Water surrounds the outside of the firebox. Heat from the burning coal turns water to steam, which rises to the top of the boiler.

How did the Salamanca locomotive work?

The cog wheel was driven by twin cylinders embedded into the top of the centre-flue boiler. The class was described as having two 8"×20" cylinders, driving the wheels through cranks. The piston crossheads slid in guides, rather than being controlled by a parallel motion linkage like the majority of early locomotives.

Zimbabwe - 15A Garratt on heavy freight charter (Pt.1), July 2017

Why did the locomotive Tom Thumb lose a race with a horse?

While undergoing tests near the B&O railroad tracks one of the horse-drawn trains pulled alongside and challenged the new engine to a race. The Tom Thumb quickly took the lead, but broke a belt allowing horse-drawn train to cross the finish line first!

What is the most famous steam train?

The Flying Scotsman

Built in 1922, Flying Scotsman has been described as the world's most famous steam locomotive. Since it was first built, few parts of the locomotive have survived as many of its components have been renewed and replaced several times over.

Why do steam trains have diesels on the back?

In the interim, until all steam locomotives were modified to work an air-braked train, they were required to be fitted with a through air pipe so a diesel or electric locomotive could be attached in order to provide assistance in the event of failure of the steam locomotive.

Why do steam locomotives puff black smoke?

A The color of exhaust you see coming out of a steam locomotive's smoke stack indicates how efficiently it is burning fuel. Darker or blacker smoke is an indication that small fuel particles (coal, wood, fuel oil, etc.) have made it through the firebox unburned and are therefore wasted.

What is an articulated steam engine?

An articulated steam locomotive is defined as any design which has at least two sets of drivers, with the lead set having the ability to swivel independently from the rigid frame to more easily negotiate curves.

What was the largest Shay locomotive ever built?

It was used to deliver freight at Kansas City up the steep west side of the river bank on a 13% grade.

Do steam trains have gears?

The steam locomotive, as commonly employed, has its pistons directly attached to cranks on the driving wheels; thus, there is no gearing, one revolution of the driving wheels is equivalent to one revolution of the crank and thus two power strokes per piston (steam locomotives are almost universally double-acting, ...

How many Shay locomotives are there?

Neils and Heritage Museum Logging Railway. Shay Locomotives were built from 1878 until 1945 in many sizes configurations and gauges. These steam locomotives were used coast to coast and the world over with 3,354 locomotives manufactured by the company in the Shay pattern.

Do diesel trains have gears?

Diesel–hydraulic locomotives use one or more torque converters, in combination with fixed ratio gears. Drive shafts and gears form the final drive to convey the power from the torque converters to the wheels, and to effect reverse.

How far could a steam locomotive go before needing water?

The tender could greatly extend a locomotive's range and by the late steam era (1930s-1940s) a locomotive used in main line service could run anywhere between 75 to 150 miles before needing to refuel, which typically coincided with a train crew's district/territory.

Do diesel locomotives need water?

Predominantly, locomotives use water as a coolant. The reason for this is because water is more effective at heat transfer and is better for the environment. For example, if a leak occurs in a hose or tank, with water, there is no environmental harm as a result.

What type of coal do steam trains use?

Steam locomotives rely on bituminous lump coal to burn, which is relatively smokeless and comparatively clean.

How much coal does a steam locomotive use?

Using contemporary engineering texts, Shimko found that simple steam engines like Denbigh's typically burned about five pounds (2.27kg) of coal per horsepower per hour.

How much water does a steam locomotive use per mile?

Water is the most significant limitation with most locomotives hauling loaded trains at express speeds being limited to about 100 miles (160 km) between fillings of the tender. For the A1 class an average of 40-45 gallons (113-137 litres) per mile is to be expected.

Are steam locomotives more powerful than diesel?

To begin with diesel locomotives were less powerful than steam engines which meant smaller train sizes (ie. e the amount of carriages they could tow) which you would have thought made them a less preferable option - so why make the switch?

What is the strongest steam locomotive ever built?

The most powerful steam locomotive currently in operation is the Union Pacific "Big Boy" 4014, a simple articulated 4-8-8-4 locomotive capable of a tractive effort (pulling force) of 135,375 lbf (602 kN) at 10 mph.

How did the Tom Thumb locomotive work?

The construction of the Tom Thumb took much improvisation, as its boiler tubes were constructed utilizing rifle barrels. The locomotive's blower was contained in the exhaust stack, which included a belt to power the wheels. The locomotive was fueled with anthracite coal, which was plentiful in the region.

How do two train engines work together?

Multiple locomotives work together using a series of cables between the locomotives that provide an electric current, keeping the trailing locomotives in sync with the leader. This is performed by a 27-pin connector, that attaches between locomotives in the consist, as well as air hoses controlling the braking system.