The Evolution Of The Steam Locomotive

Ken Gibbs tells the history of the engineering triumph that is a steam locomotive from the 1800s to the 1960s showing how each development changed the course of history.

Between 1900 and 1950, Americans built the most powerful steam locomotives of all time--enormous engines that powered a colossal industry. They were deceptively simple machines, yet, the more their technology was studied, the more obscure it became. Despite immense and sustained engineering efforts, steam locomotives remained grossly inefficient in their use of increasingly costly fuel and labor. In the end, they baffled their masters and, as soon as diesel-electric technology provided an alternative, steam locomotives disappeared from American railroads. Drawing on the work of eminent engineers and railroad managers of the day, this lavishly illustrated history chronicles the challenges, triumphs and failures of American steam locomotive development and operation.

Unlock the secrets of steam locomotives with this comprehensive book covering how they work, including their design, evolution, and construction. Learn about how they were designed, how they work, what each of the components do, and how the engines operated. Well-known railway author Brian Solomon covers their strengths and weaknesses, how they evolved, and how and why diesel locomotives were able to supersede them. You'll get an in-depth view of the fascinating and extremely popular steam locomotives used throughout history including: How steam locomotive components work together to get a train into motion The evolution of steam leading to more-powerful locomotives The various wheel arrangements and what service each was designed for Differences among coal- and oil-fired types And more! Featuring extensive photo coverage and drawings, this 208-page book is essential for any railfan or model railroader. Take the mystery out of these iconic living, breathing beings!

Excerpt from The Evolution of the Steam Locomotive: 1803 to 1898 Despite these exclusions, we believe that no other book on loco motive history in the English language is so fully illustrated. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

John Walter has created an accessible one-volume study of the development of the steam railway locomotive from Trevithick, Hedley, Blenkinsop, Seguin, Stevenson and other pioneers to the ground-breaking analytical work of Chapelon and his disciples. Beginning with a full history, the book then presents a comprehensive directory based on the Whyte wheel classification system. Packed with images, diagrams and contemporary artworks, this well-researched book will be indispensable to casual and serious enthusiasts alike.