P2 Locomotive Company and related matters

Looking at the P2 website, their level of investigative research is extremely thorough, and with the extremely good fortune of being able to be introduced to George Carpenter, has led to an invaluable line of contact with people involved with the development and implementation of Franklin B valvegear at ALCO in the USA.

Reading of George Carpenter's connections in themselves is fascinating stuff, I'd love to be able to read his memoirs of working with Stanier, Bulleid, Chapelon & Porta. All through the kindness of a P2 supporter. Fantastic stuff!

When you read about the USA connections with Vernon & Charles Smith, their retention of archive material, and also the fact that both drawings and manuals survive and have been borrowed, the story becomes even more absorbing.

I hope that a comprehensive book can be produced on the construction of No. 2007 (To compliment Andrew Hardy's excellent book), covering the areas of research, discoveries etc., which have emerged since Andrew's book was written.

Oh, and I'd absolutely LOVE to see the 10.25" Gauge (I presume, says 10" on the P2 site) P2 model built by one of the supporters. That in itself will be damned impressive!

Richard.

 

Another milestone in this amazing project!
https://www.p2steam.com/category/news/

Knut

 

Is this what you are referring to Knut?



Foxy.

 

Yes, it is Great engineering.

 

Mikado before the end of the year? Terrific update.

 

Deleted.

 

First motion components ordered!
https://www.p2steam.com/2018/05/31/motion-components-orders-placed/

Knut

 

And yet more news!
https://www.p2steam.com/category/news/
Wheels tyred, and crankpins fitted. A blistering pace is being set!

Richard.

 

Why are they quartering the wheels of a three-cylinder loco please?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

Surely “quartering” in this context just refers to the generic process of ensuring that the crank pins have the correct relative alignment; not a specific statement that they are at 90 degrees to each other.

Tom

 

I'd presume it's technically 'thirding', but I doubt such a word exists in the steam engineer's lexicon...

 

'Blessed are the cheesemakers....'

 

My understanding is they are still at 90degrees to each other?

 

No, 120 degrees. 90 degrees is for two- and four-cylinder engines only.

 

Yes, that makes sense.

 

Well, yes and again no. It all depends. If we are only considering simple expansion types, which we usually are since by far the bulk of our attention is devoted to UK practice, then the answer is yes (though for four cylinder simples you also have the 135 degree alternative setting).

Three cylinder compounds are another area, they can have 120 degree settings or 135 - 90 -135.

There are other arguments concerning optimal settings, but there is little point in entering these areas since we are never going to come across their application.

 

...... and then there was Mr Paget's creation on the Midland .....

 

We can always find exceptions and quote the wonderful and simply bazaar, but 99% of engines will conform to what I said.

 

Weren't the crank angles on Bulleids and some Lord Nelsons a bit weird too?