Geared steam locomotives - video and photo

[Jon]

Geared steam locomotives. 13:36 video, queued to 3:00:



Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...l_fullsize.jpg




More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geared_steam_locomotive

Previously:

Big Boy locomotive under steam
World's fastest steam locomotive - photos
The man at the controls of the world's largest steam locomotive - photo
1859 steam locomotive of the viceroy of Egypt - photo
Steam locomotive conjugated valve gear animation - GIF
Locomotive sandbox spraying sand on rails for traction - GIF
steam locomotive drag racing

[mklotz]

Those are Shay locomotives; the offset of the boiler to the left is a giveaway.

There are two other types of geared locomotives...

Geared locomotive types

Shay - offset boiler with a multiple-cylinder engine affixed to it on the opposite side, driving a longitudinal shaft geared to the axles via bevel gears

Heisler - 'V-Twin' style steam engine, one cylinder each side of the centralised boiler, affixed to a centrally located longitudinal driveshaft geared to the wheels

Climax - two inclined (typically 45 deg forward) cylinders driving a transverse crankshaft, geared to a longitudinal driveshaft placed centrally on the locomotive and driving the powered trucks via internal gearing

[neilbourjaily]

Can any one comment regarding efficiency of gear vs piston locomotive?

[mklotz]

Can any one comment regarding efficiency of gear vs piston locomotive?

Geared locos were designed to provide the better tractive effort needed for pulling heavy loads on steep grades as in the mining and logging industries. As such they were not intended for long haul usage as the more conventional designs were.

In terms of fuel usage per mile traveled they're probably less efficient than conventional. The friction from all that gearing almost guarantees that. But they weren't designed for long haul; they're meant for high traction and in that respect are more efficient than conventional. They're the right design for the job they were meant to do.

You can read more on the subject at the Wiki article...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geared_steam_locomotive