How Steam Locomotives Really Work
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"To enable train enthusiasts to understand the workings of the various types of engines in use, this book describes the anatomy and physiology of the steam train. It covers the design of the engine, the process of converting fuel into mechanical tractive effort to haul passenger and freight trains, the function and design of the various components of the engine, and the safe and efficient operation and maintenance of steam locomotives. Although the steam locomotive originated in the United Kingdom, there were parallel lines of development in North America and Europe, and the individual features of these are also covered." -- Mechanical Engineering, Nov 2000
"The book deals comprehensively with the dynamics, thermodynamics, component description, metallurgy, design criteria and performance of steam locomotives; as well as their operational maintenance issues. . .For those of us with a particular interest in steam technology, but without the fullest understanding of the many compl --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Following the pioneering work of Trevithick, Stephenson, and many others, steam locomotives continued to evolve and be refined until overtaken by diesel and electric traction technology. Although the last main-line steam service was operated by British Rail in 1968, there is still immense interest in steam traction, as demonstrated by the increasing numbers of privately renovated and preserved locomotives and heritage railways around the world. In How Steam Locomotives Really Work, the authors, both railway experts, cover the design of locomotives, the many processes in the conversion of fuel to tractive effort, the dynamic characteristics of the locomotive as a vehicle, the braking equipment, and a host of other systems, major and minor, that make up a working locomotive. They also explain the reasons for running and maintenance practices. Their explanations will fascinate enthusiasts, whether practical or armchair. Steam locomotive design may have started in the United Kingdom, but it quickly developed parallel and sometimes diverging techniques in other countries, leading to many distinct developments that contribute to the national characteristics of some locomotives. The authors embrace this diversity, and railway enthusiasts from around the world will find this book engrossing and enlightening.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book covers every aspect of steam locomotive design and construction in a clear and logical fashion, with ample illustrations and diagrams. The authors are clearly masters of their subject, and their style is lucid and eminently readable. I found it absolutely fascinating and, by its end, I really did understand how steam locomotives work, and why so many aspects of them have evolved in the way they have.
Other reviewers have criticised it for being overly technical but I disagree: "O" level / GCSE physics (that's 15 year old schooling for non-UK readers) more than covers it, and in fact I found myself wanting more technical detail. In particular I wished the sections on valve gear, boiler performance and superheating had contained more information.
This is very much a book for those who want to know the "how" and the "why", as opposed to simply the "what", of steam locomotive design. It has increased my enjoyment of other books on steam locomotive development immeasurably since I can now understand the descriptions of valve gear, blast pipes, rocking grates, compounding, sand guns, injectors, etc.
If you are prepared to make the effort to read it through you really WILL understand - in theory at least - exactly "how steam locomotives really work". It has to be by far the best book on this subject.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is NOT a how-to-drive-a-steam-train, view-from-the-footplate sort of book. Instead it is a very learned work, talking about the co-efficient of friction, and telling you that the boiling-point of water rises as you apply pressure to the water. I have given this item 5 stars for there is no fault in the book : the fault lies in my expectations!
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is perhaps the best book available about "how steam locomotives work". It is not simply keeping its promise for those seeking the answer to that question but is also a pleasure to read for those who actually do know how they work. You don't have to know much physics. All you have to know is explained in a substantial but easy to understand manner. It is not a dry collection of facts; instead - as said before - it is a book you can also read to enjoy. The authors know the matter and are not leaving any issue concerning the steam locomotive. Drawings, diagrams and photos provide facts and examples for better understanding. The basic concern, when not a basic part of the locomotive or commonplace all over the world, are the concepts used in Great Britain. But the principles of such things like feed-water-heating, which were not widely spread in Britain because of the loading-gauge, are at least mentioned if not (like most of the time) described in detail (though some things may be, well, let's say a little bit inaccurate, e.g. the description to the picture of the "Baureihe 42" - a "Kriegslokomotive" of the german railways - can easily be misunderstood in such a way, that these locomotives made up the major part of the vast buildup of german locomotives during World War II; in fact they played just a minor role as there were built "just" several hundred against the thousands built of the "Baureihe 52" (the rate is about 1:10)). Well, sometimes one would wish to get a more detailed description of some constructions, but, to be honest, this is actually not of concern. The book's issue is to explain the basic principles of the steam locomotive. And this is done fabulously.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
steam locamotives.
paperback version,very technical, not enough illistrations,more like an engineers manual than a hobbyist book,still quite good though. Read more
Published 2 months ago by iangray
How Steam Locomotive Really Work
The book is excellent value for money, and I would certainly recommend it to steam engine enthusiasts like myself. I'm already reading the book for the second time. Read more
Published 4 months ago by happybuyer
Essential for every real steam enthusiastic
I think this book is essential for people who likes to know more about steam locomotives, without limiting themselves to a mere knowledge of the general features of single models... Read more
Published 6 months ago by maurizio
How steam engines work
This is a very detailed book, going into all the elements that make a steam engine work
It is a shame the book hasn't been printed in another format, where the... Read more
It is a shame the book hasn't been printed in another format, where the... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Stephen Horsman
A Chuffing Good Read
I can hardly believe that so much solid information could be packed into a book no bigger than a Penguin Classic, and yet be so readable. Read more
Published 10 months ago by EnglandTheGreat
How Steam Locomotives Really Work
I'm not exactly a steam buff and I actually bought this book for someone else but in the end I read it almost overnight. Read more
Published 18 months ago by JCEH
Great read, full of practical knowledge and explanations
I was a little concerned that this book may get too technical and that I would loose interest in it. This hasn't been the case at all. Read more
Published 21 months ago by scaleandy
Lovely book, very enjoyable read.
A beautifully written book that manages to cover technical ground without being dry or text-book like. Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2009 by W. B. Palfree
Very informative
This is very easy to read and will fill in most gaps in anyones knowledge of how a steam locomotive works i have read it twice as it is nice to go over the subject again , all in... Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2009 by Hugh J. Forsyth
Excellent
This book explains what the title states. It is a technical description as well as practical explanations & historical notes.
An excellent reference book.
An excellent reference book.
Published on 7 Mar 2008 by C. J. West
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