The Design of Large Locomotives

Abstract

Abstract After discussing various restrictions and limitations in the design and construction of large locomotives due to the inability of existing bridges and tracks to of bridges and structures, the author expresses the opinion that the physical conditions of a road should be adjusted to the requirements of the locomotive, and that the only controlling factors should be the size of train and the traffic of the territory. Leading features of locomotive construction such as relative size of cylinders, total heating surface, grate area, principal dimensions, etc., have been treated at length by various writers. Features which have not been so discussed, however, are those which keep a locomotive in service a maximum length of time, reduce engine failures to a minimum, reduce cost of maintenance and repairs, and increase revenue-earning power. And it is in order to arouse interest in those details which are not always given the attention to which they are entitled, that the author proceeds to their consideration. These, in the order of their treatment, are: Counterbalance, cross-heads, driving wheels, crosshead pins, piston rods, cylinders, frame braces, boiler cracks, back flue sheet, grate rigging, water columns, cab equipment, cab seats, and tender capacity. The author’s opinions on these topics are presented in the hope that discussion will bring out the experience of others not only on these but on additional details of locomotive design and construction.