Discussion. On the Construction of Locomotive Engines, Especially With Respect to Those Modifications Which Enable Additional Power to Be Gained, Without Materially Increasing the Weight, or Unduly Elevating the Centre of Gravity.

Abstract

a condition to employ that power advantageously, the effect was to impart undue vibration to the machine. The engine on this principle, to which he had before alluded, travelled with a remarkable degree of smoothness on an undulating line.Mr. R. STEPHENSON, M.P., V.P., said, that Mr. Crampton appeared to attach more importance, than any other locomotive E ngineer, to placing the wheels at the extremity of the engine, and though, as between competitors in design and construction, a difference of opinion, on certain points, might appear to exist, Mr. Crampton had been such an industrious labourer in the field, that any observations made by him were entitled to great weight. The distinguishing feature, between the two systems, was in the arrangement of the wheels under the engine. Steadiness of motion might be obtained, by au,penting the area covered, or in other words, by extending the distance between the extreme wheels, on the rails, and when once that point was attained, it was nearly a matter of indifference where the propelling power was applied. By the mode of placing the driving-wheels behind the fire-box, steadiness was, doubtless, obtained, but he contended, that it was procured at the price of other inconveniences. The main difference, between this system and that of all other Engineers, in the arrangement of their engines, was in the mode of covering a sufficient area on the rails; the usual method being to apply the power upon an axle placed somewhere intermediate, with respect to the extreme bearingwheels; whilst Mr. Crampton insisted, that the action should be direct upon an axle, situated at, or near the extremity. The engine, shown in Fig. 3, was first designed for the purpose of obtaining an economical consumption of fuel, which, at that time, was considered of paramount importance; it had been termed the long-boiler engine, and though, at the period of its introduction, it had been considered a decided step in advance, it had since been stigmatized as combining all the faults that could be comprised in any engine. When it was first introduced, the size of turn-tables was such as to offer an inducement to keep the wheels as close together as possible. The rivalry between railways had been so great, within the last few years, that every effort had been made to obtain power and speed ; consequently, the distance between the wheels had been extended, and the extension had induced a greater degree of steadiness, on account of the greater area of railway, covered by the engine.H e thought the railway authorities were nearly equally divided, on the question of outside, or inside cylinders. A t one time, it was deemed advantagxms to have the working gear outside, that it might be readily cleaned and be under the eye of the engine-driver ; CONSTRUCTION OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES.and certainly, at first, that appeared to be a specious argument, but it was not a sound one. H e had been one of the first innovators, in using ontside cylinders, but after years of experience, he waa inclined to regret the change.I ...