I have seen references to "boosters" on steam locos and assume that this was power to the rail other than the drivers. (This, I am sure, has been covered before). Was this power to trailing trucks, tenders, ect., and my question is, how this was done mechanically? I have looked at photos but can not tell anything from the pictures.
Northtowne
usually a small two-cylinder drive to rear and larger of the wheels of a four-wheell trailing truck, less usual to a two-wheel trailing truck, and even less usual to all wheels of a tender truck, the latter typically for an 0-8-0 or 0-10-0 switcher or transfer locomotive.
The New York Central Hudsons, Mowhaks, and Niagras all had the first type of booster. The only fleeted PRR locos were the J's, the 2-10-4's, copied from the C&O's. But the PRR J's usually lost them after a while.
excpt on the switcher and transfer locomotives, intended for low-speed operation, the booster was cut out above a certain speed, sometimes automatically.
NorthtowneWas this power to trailing trucks, tenders, etc.
Yes...
Search the web for "steam locomotive booster." You'll get plenty of references and illustrations. Here's one for starters. The simple answer to your question is that boosters were simply another steam engine (ie, cylinders, valve gear, etc). Most could be engaged and disengaged while moving (at low speeds - which is all boosters were good for).
The simple answer to your question is that boosters were simply another steam engine (ie, cylinders, valve gear, etc). Most could be engaged and disengaged while moving (at low speeds - which is all boosters were good for).
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
note the correction, always two cylinders, to previous post
[Link to cutaway picture of a Franklin booster on a trailing truck]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booster_engine#mediaviewer/File:Franklin-Booster.jpg
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Here is a link to booster operation instructions (downloadable .pdf of Franklin instruction book 102A for the C-1 and C-2 designs):
http://users.fini.net/~bersano/english-anglais/locomotive_booster/locomotive_booster.pdf
daveklepper note the correction, always two cylinders, to previous post
I knew that - was thinking in terms of articulated locos, which have two "engines" under the boiler, each with two cylinders.
tree68 daveklepper note the correction, always two cylinders, to previous post I knew that - was thinking in terms of articulated locos, which have two "engines" under the boiler, each with two cylinders.
He meant it was a correction to his previous post, where he had indicated a booster only had one cylinder.
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