Page 326 - (DK) The Ultimate Visual Dictionary 2nd Ed.

RAIL AND ROAD
Steam ROCKET STEAM LOCOMOTIVE, 1829

locomotives Chimney steam from
Pipe takes
boiler to Remains of
Smokebox cylinder firebox
WAGONS THAT ARE PULLED along tracks have been used
to transport material since the 16th century, but these Regulator
Leaf spring (throttle) Valve
trains were drawn by men or horses until the invention chest
of the steam locomotive. Steam locomotives enabled the Rocke Wrought-
basic railroad system to realize its true potential. In 1804, nameplate iron boiler Valve
setting
Richard Trevithick built the world’s first working steam control
locomotive in South Wales. It was not entirely
successful, but it encouraged others to develop
Wooden
new designs. By 1829, the British engineer buffer
Robert Stephenson had built the Rocket, beam
considered to be the forerunner of the modern
locomotive. The Rocket was a self-sufficient
unit, carrying coal to heat the boiler and a water
supply for generating steam. Steam passed from Wooden
the boiler to force the pistons back and forth, driving
wheel
and this movement turned the driving wheels,
propelling the train forward. Used steam was then
expelled in characteristic puffs. Later steam
locomotives, like Ellerman Lines and the Mallard,
Ballast
worked in a similar way, but on a much larger scale. Metal tire Wooden Piston Carrying
Rail chair
The simple design and reliability of steam locomotives tie rod wheel
Axle Wrought-
Driver’s
ensured that they changed very little in 120 years of iron rail Cylinder platform
use, before being replaced from the 1950s by more
efficient diesel and electric power (see pp. 326-329). ELLERMAN LINES, 1949 (CUTAWAY VIEW)
Stay
Vacuum Panel brace Water Coal space Tender hand brake Cab Firebox Brick arch
reservoir tank
Panel
Water filler sheeting
Hand
rail

Buffer

Footplate
Brake Wheel Tender Brake Water float Water Step Coupling
vacuum guard Axle Axle wheel rigging to indicate float Grate
pipe box water level lever Axle box Coil spring
cover Fire drawn
TENDER Trailing wheel into fire tubes

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