Education - Part 5A4
Motive Power - Steam Power
Motive Power - Steam Power
Steam Locomotive
The steam locomotive is a marvel of engineering. Although very largely historical at this point in time, it is instructive to study the basics of steam locomotives.
Steam-powered locomotives convert steam energy to mechanical energy by boiling water to produce steam. Liquid water increases in volume by about 1700 times at standard temperature and pressure (STP) when it changes to the gaseous state and it is this change in volume that creates a mechanical advantage.
Steam (gaseous water) produced in a boiler is piped to a cylinder containing a piston. This forces the piston to move. By linking the piston to an axel, the movement of the piston is translated into a movement of the axel. If the axel is fitted with wheels at opposite ends, the wheels will rotate, thus achieving motion along a predetermined path. If the cylinder containing the piston can be fed steam at either end, a continuous forward movement of the linked wheels can be achieved. That is the essence of operation of a steam-powered locomotive. Examples of steam-powered locomotives on the Shannondell Model Railroad may be found here.
Every steam locomotive consisted of a frame upon which to support a fire box that heated water to steam in a boiler, a cab in which the driver and support staff worked, a set of wheels upon which these components rested, plumbing, control mechanisms and other components. The following illustration identifies 48 different but integrated components of a steam locomotive.
The steam locomotive is a marvel of engineering. Although very largely historical at this point in time, it is instructive to study the basics of steam locomotives.
Steam-powered locomotives convert steam energy to mechanical energy by boiling water to produce steam. Liquid water increases in volume by about 1700 times at standard temperature and pressure (STP) when it changes to the gaseous state and it is this change in volume that creates a mechanical advantage.
Steam (gaseous water) produced in a boiler is piped to a cylinder containing a piston. This forces the piston to move. By linking the piston to an axel, the movement of the piston is translated into a movement of the axel. If the axel is fitted with wheels at opposite ends, the wheels will rotate, thus achieving motion along a predetermined path. If the cylinder containing the piston can be fed steam at either end, a continuous forward movement of the linked wheels can be achieved. That is the essence of operation of a steam-powered locomotive. Examples of steam-powered locomotives on the Shannondell Model Railroad may be found here.
Every steam locomotive consisted of a frame upon which to support a fire box that heated water to steam in a boiler, a cab in which the driver and support staff worked, a set of wheels upon which these components rested, plumbing, control mechanisms and other components. The following illustration identifies 48 different but integrated components of a steam locomotive.
Main components of a typical steam locomotive
A description of the numbered components (above) is given in the following table.
Description of the keyed components in the above illustration
Although steam-powered locomotives were used for many years, the only remaining operating examples are used in tourist applications (e.g., excursion trains) giving people a chance to experience them once again. Some can also be found in museums.
No steam-powered locomotive could meet the current regulations for environmental care and probably not safety and health regulations either. There is an instructive video (17:16 minutes) showing how a steam locomotive was built in 1935. It is well worth watching.
The following image is of a steam locomotive built by Climax Manufacturing Co. in Curry, PA in 1923.
No steam-powered locomotive could meet the current regulations for environmental care and probably not safety and health regulations either. There is an instructive video (17:16 minutes) showing how a steam locomotive was built in 1935. It is well worth watching.
The following image is of a steam locomotive built by Climax Manufacturing Co. in Curry, PA in 1923.
Photo of Climax No. 1653 housed at The Tasmanian Transport Museum in Glenorchy, Tasmania, Australia. It worked in the logging industry in Australia