Calculated drawbar horsepower curves for 4-8-4s

1-Early 4-8-4 DBHP

This graph shows the calculated drawbar horsepower curves for five classes in the first wave of 4-8-4s: Lackawanna Q-1, Canadian National U-2-a, Northern Pacific A, Santa Fe 3751, and Canadian Pacific K-1. Neil Carlson In the days of steam it was a normal practice to estimate the horsepower potential of a locomotive. Baldwin Locomotive Works […]

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Glossary of steam locomotive terms

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Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac 4-8-4 No. 602, named Governor Thomas Jefferson, rushes an 18-car passenger train toward Washington, D.C., near Four Mile Run, Va., in June 1940. C. W. Whitbeck Back pressure Back pressure is caused by the resistance of the exhaust steam exiting the cylinders. Overcoming this resistance represents negative work done by the […]

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A train in TRAINS’ driveway

Flagg Coal Co. No. 75 pays a visit to the offices of Kalmbach Publishing on August 16, 2011. The 0-4-0 tank engine was built by the Vulcan Iron Works in 1930. Now privately owned, it travels around the country to tourist railroads, and made a flag stop (ha ha) at Kalmbach, courtesy of owner John […]

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Accucraft East Broad Top Mikado

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Kevin Strong Vital statistics 1:20.3 scale, gauge 1, live-steam East Broad Top Mikado Accucraft Trains33268 Central Ave.Union City CA 94587Price: $3,499 (live steam); $2,999 (electric)Website: www.accucraft.com All metal, live steam, 1:20.3-scale model of East Broad Top Nº 12; minimum radius, 4’; butane fired; sight glass; water pump in tender; fully sprung drivers; working Walschaerts valve […]

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Re-gear kit for Bachmann’s K-27

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Kevin Strong Vital statistics Re-gear kit for Bachmann K-27R and K Railroad Products16722 Dakota Dr.Leavenworth KS 66048Price: $140 Website: www.randkrailroadproducts.com Add-on gearbox for Bachmann K-27; requires disassembly and reassembly of engine; motor must be sent in to be fitted with new gearbox Pros: Robust construction; smooth operation allows for very controlled speeds on a variety […]

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Bachmann N scale 2-10-2 steam locomotive

Bachmann N scale 2-10-2 steam locomotive

Bachmann N scale 2-10-2 steam locomotive This N scale locomotive is a replica of a steam engine originally designed as a humble helper, but which distinguished itself as an indispensable worker in World War I. The Bachmann Spectrum series N scale United States Railroad Administration Light 2-10-2 comes equipped with a ­Digital Command Control ­(DCC) […]

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Railroad from “Breakheart Pass”

Q On which railroad was the 1975 movie “Breakheart Pass” filmed? — Klaus Schmidt, Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. A “Breakheart Pass” was filmed on the Camas Prairie Railroad, a short line in Northern Idaho. Originally a cooperative building effort by predecessors of the Union Pacific and the BNSF in the early 20th century, as of 2004, […]

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