Avoidable Waste in Locomotives as Affected by Their Design

Abstract

Abstract The best way to overcome waste in locomotive operation is to design the locomotive in the first place so that it will fulfill the efficiency requirements of 1 A drawbar horsepower for the minimum amount of fuel 2 A drawbar horsepower for the minimum amount of weight of locomotive and tender 3 A drawbar horsepower for the minimum cost of repairs. Fuel economy is effected by firebrick arches, superheaters, feedwater heaters, generous steam spaces, automatic stokers, etc. Minimum weight is secured by careful design of the machinery parts, use of special materials, use of the independent booster for special grades. Minimum cost of repairs is dependent on the use of as few bolted parts as possible, accessibility of parts, removability, and interchangeability. Standard replacement parts can be secured from builders. Much waste in locomotive operation can be avoided by making a careful study of present motive-power equipment, modernizing it where necessary, or replacing by new equipment. Several examples of what has been accomplished in service by locomotives designed to yield maximum efficiency are given.