Experiment (locomotive)

Last updated

L&MR 32 Experiment
Experiment.jpg
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Designer Richard Roberts
Builder Sharp, Roberts and Co.
Build dateFebruary 1833
Specifications
Configuration:
   Whyte 2-2-0
Gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
Leading dia. 3 ft 6 in (1.067 m)
Driver dia.5 ft 0 in (1.524 m)
Cylinders Two, vertical
Cylinder size 13 13 in × 18 in (339 mm × 457 mm)
Career
Operators Liverpool and Manchester Railway
DispositionSold December 1836; later scrapped

Experiment was a steam locomotive designed and built by Richard Roberts in 1833 for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway (L&MR). The locomotive had vertical cylinders driving via bell cranks.

Contents

History

L&MR No.32 [1] Experiment was built in 1833 with vertical cylinders mounted just behind the chimney, driving the wheels via a bell crank. The locomotive also had piston valves. These valves were probably the reason that the design was not a success, rather than the bell crank transmission, which was used successfully in other locomotives. [2] Another reason that the locomotive was not successful was steam leakage from the cylinders. [1] Experiment was withdrawn after a few months. [2]

Three similar locomotives were built for the Dublin and Kingstown Railway. [1] Locomotives to this design were built for the Dundee and Newtyle Railway, but they were soon altered. [2]

Related Research Articles

Steam locomotive Railway locomotive that produces its pulling power through a steam engine

A steam locomotive is a type of railway locomotive that produces its pulling power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fuelled by burning combustible material—usually coal, wood, or oil—to produce steam in a boiler. The steam moves reciprocating pistons which are mechanically connected to the locomotive's main wheels (drivers). Both fuel and water supplies are carried with the locomotive, either on the locomotive itself or in wagons (tenders) pulled behind.

A geared steam locomotive is a type of steam locomotive which uses gearing, usually reduction gearing, in the drivetrain, as opposed to the common directly driven design.

Saxonia (locomotive) early German 0-4-2 locomotive

The locomotive Saxonia was operated by the Leipzig–Dresden Railway Company and was the first practical working steam locomotive built in Germany. Its name means Saxony in Latin.

2-2-0 locomotive wheel arrangement

Under Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-2-0 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle, two powered driving wheels on one axle, and no trailing wheels. This configuration, which became very popular during the 1830s, was commonly called the Planet type after the first locomotive, Robert Stephenson's Planet of 1830.

GWR 4100 Class

The GWR 4100 Class was a class of steam locomotives in the Great Western Railway (GWR) of the United Kingdom.

4-12-2 locomotive wheel arrangement

Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-12-2 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels, twelve coupled driving wheels, and two trailing wheels. This arrangement was named the Union Pacific type, after the only railroad to use it, the Union Pacific Railroad.

<i>Novelty</i> (locomotive) early experimental locomotive

Novelty was an early steam locomotive built by John Ericsson and John Braithwaite to take part in the Rainhill Trials in 1829.

Stephenson valve gear

The Stephenson valve gear or Stephenson link or shifting link is a simple design of valve gear that was widely used throughout the world for all kinds of steam engines. It is named after Robert Stephenson but was invented by his employees.

Sharp, Stewart and Company defunct British locomotive manufacturer

Sharp, Stewart and Company was a steam locomotive manufacturer, initially based in Manchester, England. The company was formed in 1843 upon the demise of Sharp, Roberts & Co.. It moved to Glasgow, Scotland, in 1888, eventually amalgamating with two other Glasgow-based locomotive manufacturers to form the North British Locomotive Company.

Cylinder (locomotive)

The cylinder is the power-producing element of the steam engine powering a steam locomotive. The cylinder is made pressure-tight with end covers and a piston; a valve distributes the steam to the ends of the cylinder. Cylinders were cast in iron and later made of steel. The cylinder casting includes other features such as valve ports and mounting feet. The last big American locomotives incorporated the cylinders as part of huge one-piece steel castings that were the main frame of the locomotive. Renewable wearing surfaces were needed inside the cylinders and provided by cast-iron bushings.

Hibernia (locomotive) Steam locomotive

Hibernia was a steam locomotive designed by Richard Roberts and built by Sharp, Roberts and Company in 1834 for the Dublin and Kingstown Railway (D&KR). The locomotive had vertical cylinders driving via bell cranks.

A compound locomotive is a steam locomotive which is powered by a compound engine, a type of steam engine where steam is expanded in two or more stages. The locomotive was only one application of compounding. Two and three stages were used in ships, for example.

The South African Railways Class 16A 4-6-2 of 1915 was a steam locomotive.

Duplex locomotive

A duplex locomotive is a steam locomotive that divides the driving force on its wheels by using two pairs of cylinders rigidly mounted to a single locomotive frame; it is not an articulated locomotive. The concept was first used in France in 1863, but was particularly developed in the early 1930s by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, the largest commercial builder of steam locomotives in North America, under the supervision of its then chief engineer, Ralph P. Johnson.

South African Class 6L 4-6-0 class of 2 South African 4-6-0 locomotives

The South African Railways Class 6L 4-6-0 of 1904 was a steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Cape of Good Hope.

LNWR Dreadnought Class Class of British 2-2-2-0 locomotives

The LNWR Dreadnought class was a class of 40 passenger three-cylinder compound 2-2-2-0 locomotives designed by F. W. Webb for the London and North Western Railway, and manufactured by them in their Crewe Works between 1884 and 1888. The railway also commissioned the Beyer, Peacock and Company to construct an additional locomotive of the design for the Pennsylvania Railroad.

LNWR Teutonic Class class of 10 British 2-2-2-0 locomotives

The LNWR Teutonic class was a class of 10 passenger three-cylinder compound 2-2-2-0 locomotives designed by F. W. Webb for the London and North Western Railway, and manufactured by them in their Crewe Works between 1889 and 1890.

LNWR Greater Britain Class class of 10 British 3-cylinder compound 2-2-2-2 locomotives

The London and North Western Railway (LNWR) Greater Britain class was a class of ten 2-2-2-2 steam locomotives designed for express passenger work by F. W. Webb.

LNWR John Hick Class class of 10 British 3-cylinder compound 2-2-2-2 locomotives

The London and North Western Railway (LNWR) John Hick class was a class of ten 2-2-2-2 steam locomotives designed for express passenger work by F. W. Webb.

Forrester single (locomotive) Locomotive class built in 1834 of type 2-2-0 by George Forrester and Company

Swiftsure was first of eight or more similar locomotives with a single pair of driving wheels built by George Forrester and Company (Forresters) from 1834. The tank variant was the first passenger tank engine to enter service in the world.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Sharp Roberts & Co". Steam Index. Retrieved 5 April 2008.
  2. 1 2 3 "Curiosities of Locomotive Design". Catskill Archive. Retrieved 5 April 2008.

Sources