Question about European Steam Engines

[FTGT725]

Can anyone tell me, what looks like hands on a clock are on the front of the smoke boxes on European steam engines.

[tomikawaTT]

You'll find the same things on Japanese steam engines.  They are the handle for the smoke box door and the second handle to lock the first.

Looking at an American locomotive, you will notice that the smokebox door is held closed by 'dogs,' which have to be individually torqued (big nut on a stud) to secure it.  The locking mechanism you noticed is linked internally to the dozen or so latches that hold the smokebox door closed, thereby achieving that nice clean look - and making it impossible to mount anything dead center on the smokebox door except that 'busted clock.'

Chuck

[Deggesty]

tomikawaTT

You'll find the same things on Japanese steam engines.  They are the handle for the smoke box door and the second handle to lock the first.

Looking at an American locomotive, you will notice that the smokebox door is held closed by 'dogs,' which have to be individually torqued (big nut on a stud) to secure it.  The locking mechanism you noticed is linked internally to the dozen or so latches that hold the smokebox door closed, thereby achieving that nice clean look - and making it impossible to mount anything dead center on the smokebox door except that 'busted clock.'

Chuck

And, simplifying the process of opening or closing the door. There was at least one locomotive in this country that had this system on its smokebox--a B&O engine (I do not, at the moment, recall its name).

Johnny

[JamesP]

Deggesty

There was at least one locomotive in this country that had this system on its smokebox--a B&O engine (I do not, at the moment, recall its name).

 I think the locomotive you are referring to is the George H. Emerson, B&O locomotive #5600.  This is a link to a picture of the front of the locomotive on Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:B_and_O_5600.jpg

Also, check out the Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_and_Ohio_Class_N-1

 - James

 

[Deggesty]

JamesP

Deggesty

There was at least one locomotive in this country that had this system on its smokebox--a B&O engine (I do not, at the moment, recall its name).

 I think the locomotive you are referring to is the George H. Emerson, B&O locomotive #5600.  This is a link to a picture of the front of the locomotive on Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:B_and_O_5600.jpg

Also, check out the Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_and_Ohio_Class_N-1

 - James

 

Yes, that's the one.

Johnny

[54light15]

European locomotives have various methods of securing the smokebox door. Many have the dogs around its circumference such as the German type 52 decapod. Some have both the handwheel and the dogs and many Austrian types have two doors that open from the center like the doors on a van. The handwheel only type are most common in Britain.

[Eightpot]

British locos have a parrallel bar with an elongated slot in the middle, usually horizontal, anf itted behind the smokebox front ring. A 'tee' headed bolt goes through the smokebox door anf the slot in the crossbar. It is turned 90 degrees by the handle nearest the door which has a loose fitting square to fit the same on the bolt. In the locked position this handle normally hangs down. In front of this is the second handle which is threaded onto the end of the bolt. Procedure - turn inner handle to the horizontal, close door, ('tee' headed bolt goes through slot in inside bar at this stage), turn inner handle to hang down, tighten up with outer handle.

German locos use a 'swing-over' rotated clamps or dogs that tightens the door by engaging on a wedges welded onto the face of the door. A hammer is used to tighten and loosen the clamps/dogs.