Geared Locomotives

[doanster]

I saw the topic of geared locomotives in another forum and became curious.
How do you incorporate gears in a steam engine?

[Anonymous]

There are several ways, here's one of a Climax geared steam engine in On30 scale:



(click on the image to get a bigger view)

The side pistons turn a flywheel which is connected to an internal gearbox, which in turn operates drive shafts to the front and rear trucks. All these changes in direcetion of the power require gears.

Shay locomotives have drive shafts along one side that are connected to the trucks, then turn the wheels by way of gears.

Heisler steam engines have their pistons in a Vee shape, operating a gear box under the boiler. This gear box connects to the trucks like the Climax.

Clear as mud? Do a Google Images search for Shay steam engines, Heisler and Climax and you should turn up plenty of photos.

Bob Boudreau

[knewsom]

Fundynorthern,

That is a nice model of a climax. Is it HO or ON30?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by knewsom

Fundynorthern,

That is a nice model of a climax. Is it HO or ON30?

Notice the end of the first sentence in my post?

Bob Boudreau

[tatans]

I blowed up the photo real good !! what a sweet looking loco, I could almost smell the wood burning, great job, love the broom. I was wracking my brain to figure out what FN on the woodbin meant???? O.K. O.K. I figured it out, is the last letter"R" ?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

I blowed up the photo real good !! what a sweet looking loco, I could almost smell the wood burning, great job, love the broom. I was wracking my brain to figure out what FN on the woodbin meant???? O.K. O.K. I figured it out, is the last letter"R" ?

My Fundy Northern Railroad! [:D]

Bob Boudreau
President & Chief Photographer

[doanster]

Wow... thankslot Bob!

[Anonymous]

doanster,
check out this site.
http://www.gearedsteam.com/

[Jetrock]

The engine in that photo is On30, but there are HO geared locomotives as well. Geared locos are great for those who like their steam small, slow and charming, but with plenty of brute power!

[Anonymous]

Check this out real quick: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=78178&item=5979212078&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW