It's What You Don't See That Makes The Steam Locomotive So Incredible

[JOHNtheREDNECK]

Came across this link. I think it will give some of you a real appreciation for what makes a train work, and keep in mind this is a 100+ year old machine.

http://cprr.org/Museum/Science_of_Railways_1899/Steam_Locomotive_.html

The main difference between this machine and a "modern" steam locomotive is most of the long mechanical levers going from the cab to wherever they need to go were shortened to activate small air pistons that would send steam to move the same parts as the giant levers (its a lot easier to have steam pressure move a several hundred pound steel arm than you wrestling some giant control lever).

Articulated locomotives basically need 2 sets of everything to work.

Then superheating introduces a whole new set of components...

[gwgardner]

Fascinating, thanks for posting that.