Steam Locomotive Proportions, Ratios, and Equations

Hi guys, lately I’ve really been looking into the technical side of steam locomotives, and I’m finding myself somewhat wanting when it comes to this information.

In particular, I’m looking for in-depth optimal ratios and equations when it comes to Steam locomotive operations, particularly when it comes to boilers and cylinders (such as proportions of superheating to standard tubes) , but really any technical info on any part of locomotives is highly welcome. Really I’d like to know what equations are the most importantly for constructing the optimal steam locomotive (taking into account variables for different running different types of trains of course)

if anyone knows where to look (websites, archives, pdfs etc) or what to purchase for this kind of information, I’d gladly appreciate it.

 

That's a pretty long piece of string you're asking about. Generally, there are too many variables, even between locos intended to perform similar duties. For the LMS locos there are Arthur F Cook's two books published by the RCTS: mechanical side for the LMS Locomotive Design and Construction; and for boilers you could try Raising Steam on the LMS (ISBN 0 901115 71 1 and 0 901115 85 1).

 

I would have thought the book by Phillipson would be a good place to start although its a long long time since I've looked at my original copy (which is probably up in the loft!).

It was reprinted by Adam Harris @ Camden Steam Services some time ago but I'm not sure its still available but 2nd hand copies do come up now and again - Camden has however made it available as a download:

https://camdenmin.co.uk/collections...design-data-and-formulae-1936-digital-edition

 

Phillipson is a good reference but it doesn’t reflect the latest thinking in steam loco design and, by latest, I’m talking about 1950’s and certainly not the 21st century.

 

I would also recommend "The fire burns much better... 200 years of steam locomotive exhaust research 1804-2004" by J.J.G.Koopmans; ISBN 978-9064640131.

 

The Locomotive Engineers' Pocket Book (copies are available secondhand) gives advice on various design parameters. If you need a loco to do a particulat job (speed/haulage /within a particular axle load etc) this ostensibly enables you to work out the grate area, boiler size, number and size of wheels / cylinders etc, but like Phillipson is dated. Apart from the works mentioned above, if you want really detailed material on boilers , you could try Adrian Tester's "The Physiology of the Locomotive Boiler Part 1" which has lots of equations It runs to nearly 600 pages (and this is just Part 1) but you need a good reading light as the font is very small. Wardale's "The Red Devil etc" is less academic but is a relatively easy reading introduction to a number of issues, again suffering from small font. You will probably quickly realise that successful designs differ quite widely in their various ratios e.g. in the steam circuit and valve gear (e.g. lap/lead/expansion). No-one seems to have come up with a composite "z- score" which suggests a good loco.

 

You could also look at information and publications from the Advanced Steam Traction Trust, but wait a day or two because the website https://advanced-steam.org/ currently seems to have a security certificate problem.

Edit: The problem turns out to have been with the over-zealous anti-malware software on my computer. The website is fine.