Steam Locomotives
Created | Updated Aug 22, 2003
I suspect that when most people think of a steam locomotive, they will call it a steam train. Big mistake. A steam TRAIN comprises of at least one locomotive, or engine, and rolling stock (eg: carriages, wagons, etc.). However, a steam locomotive must never be called a steam ENGINE either, for although they have several likenesses, steam locomotives possess the power to move themselves, whereas steam engines are often stationary, and used for raising water from mines or wells.
How Steam Engines Work
It all starts with the FIRE. The heat and flames from this are drawn through the BOILER, a cylinder full of water, through FIRE TUBES. this heat boils the water in the boiler, turning it to steam. This steam moves along a pipe into the PISTONS where it moves the PISTON ROD back and forth in an oscillating motion, to move the WHEELS, using a rod, to connect the piston rod to the wheels. Some bright spark, with extreme use of poetic license, decided to call this the CONNECTING ROD.
Unfortunately, it is not that simple. For example, what would happen if the steam pressure became too high? The boiler would burst, so they invented a device called a SAFETY VALVE, which is a small valve, usually on top of the boiler, which opens if there is too much pressure. Or if the train needed to stop? Hence the invention of brakes. That may sound simple, but Stephenson's Rocket did not have any brakes. They just had to stop the supply of steam and hope.
How to Drive a Steam Train
First, open the CYLINDER COCKS, which drain any water from the cylinders, (or pistons) which may have formed as condensation on the cold CYLINDER WALLS, and could damage the cylinders. Then move the REVERSER into the full forward position. The reverser can change the direction of the locomotive. Now check that the signal is "off", or green, and take off the BRAKES. Finally, open the REGULATOR, which is the railway equivalent of a car's accelerator. Close the cylinder cocks after 3 revolutions of the wheels, as they also let out steam, as well as water.
Different Railway Companies
Many different TOCs or Train Operating Companies existed in the age of steam. Some of the larger ones were:
GWR - Great Western Railway (nicknamed God's Wonderful Railway)
LMS - London, Midland and Scottish Railway
LNER - London, North Eastern Railway
SR - Southern Railway
and many more smaller companies existed, such as:
LBSCR - London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway
S&DJR - Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway
L&Y - Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
However, later on, these were all amalgamated into on large company, called:
BR - British Railways
Believe it or not, Steam trains were used in the early days of the London Underground, on the Metropolitan Line, and every year there is (was) an event known as Steam on the Met.
Unfortunately, Steam locomotives are no longer used on the mainline, except in miniature form on the RHDR or Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. Ergo, if you wish to see large Steam locomotives, you should visit a preserved railway. Personally, I would reccommend the Severn Valley Railway, as, unlike many preserved railways, they do not have only 1 or 2 small tank engines, this one also has some large engines.
If anyone has any suggestions of good preserved railways, please post them below.
How Steam Engines Work
It all starts with the FIRE. The heat and flames from this are drawn through the BOILER, a cylinder full of water, through FIRE TUBES. this heat boils the water in the boiler, turning it to steam. This steam moves along a pipe into the PISTONS where it moves the PISTON ROD back and forth in an oscillating motion, to move the WHEELS, using a rod, to connect the piston rod to the wheels. Some bright spark, with extreme use of poetic license, decided to call this the CONNECTING ROD.
Unfortunately, it is not that simple. For example, what would happen if the steam pressure became too high? The boiler would burst, so they invented a device called a SAFETY VALVE, which is a small valve, usually on top of the boiler, which opens if there is too much pressure. Or if the train needed to stop? Hence the invention of brakes. That may sound simple, but Stephenson's Rocket did not have any brakes. They just had to stop the supply of steam and hope.
How to Drive a Steam Train
First, open the CYLINDER COCKS, which drain any water from the cylinders, (or pistons) which may have formed as condensation on the cold CYLINDER WALLS, and could damage the cylinders. Then move the REVERSER into the full forward position. The reverser can change the direction of the locomotive. Now check that the signal is "off", or green, and take off the BRAKES. Finally, open the REGULATOR, which is the railway equivalent of a car's accelerator. Close the cylinder cocks after 3 revolutions of the wheels, as they also let out steam, as well as water.
Different Railway Companies
Many different TOCs or Train Operating Companies existed in the age of steam. Some of the larger ones were:
GWR - Great Western Railway (nicknamed God's Wonderful Railway)
LMS - London, Midland and Scottish Railway
LNER - London, North Eastern Railway
SR - Southern Railway
and many more smaller companies existed, such as:
LBSCR - London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway
S&DJR - Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway
L&Y - Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
However, later on, these were all amalgamated into on large company, called:
BR - British Railways
Believe it or not, Steam trains were used in the early days of the London Underground, on the Metropolitan Line, and every year there is (was) an event known as Steam on the Met.
Unfortunately, Steam locomotives are no longer used on the mainline, except in miniature form on the RHDR or Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. Ergo, if you wish to see large Steam locomotives, you should visit a preserved railway. Personally, I would reccommend the Severn Valley Railway, as, unlike many preserved railways, they do not have only 1 or 2 small tank engines, this one also has some large engines.
If anyone has any suggestions of good preserved railways, please post them below.
