CopCarSSI think 3 cylinder steam was most popular in Britain where smaller locomotives were the norm. The added power of the third cylinder on a small frame was worth the trade-off of the maintenance necessities.
I think the British use of plate frames (at least on somewhat older locs) might have made accessibility less problematic that here.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Railroader_Sailor_SSN-760 3 cylinder design did not fare well in North America, mainly owing to the higher maintenance required by an extra cylinder, and the increased difficulty of reaching the middle cylinder.
I think a lot of the lack of development on this side of the pond can be traced to one simple reason: American steam was free to evolve beyond 3 cylinders to 4. American steam was much larger and favored the development of Mallets, as well as simple expansion articulated (and duplex) locomotives.
I think 3 cylinder steam was most popular in Britain where smaller locomotives were the norm. The added power of the third cylinder on a small frame was worth the trade-off of the maintenance necessities. In the US, it was just easier to add another set of cylinder where they were still accessible for maintenance.
-ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams
Most non-articulated North American steam locomotives used 2 cylinders. There are some notable exceptions that used 3 cylinders, the most celebrated example is the Union Pacific 4-12-2, the longest non-articulated locomotive in the western hemisphere.
Shay geared locomotives were often fitted with 3 cylinders as well.
The 3 cylinder design did not fare well in North America, mainly owing to the higher maintenance required by an extra cylinder, and the increased difficulty of reaching the middle cylinder.
So many scales, so many trains, so little time.....
....That 3rd cylinder assy. in the center sure must have been a repair headache. Don't forget, we certainly had a lot of 4 cyl. engines too.
Quentin
tatans I assume the 3rd. cylinder was in the middle between the other outside cylinders, right????
You might pose the question over on the heritage or locomotive forums. I'm sure you'll get an in-depth analysis (not that you won't here).
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Were most steam locos in North America 2 or 3 cylinders ? I only remember 2 cylinder C.P.R. locos by the slow chuff-chuff, I also remember seeing 3 cylinder British steam in London in 1965. I assume the 3rd. cylinder was in the middle between the other outside cylinders, right????
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