RTC 2025

RalphW · 12 сен 2025 в 08:42

Gunslinger1948 сказал(а): ↑

An observation from a complete non technical expert: it is hard to see how direction of travel can be a major factor in excess or unexpected wear because tank engines do it all the time. What may be an issue is being towed or pushed at speed over large distances or for long periods of time. In preservation that seems to happen quite a lot, both for repositioning and top and tailing where turning facilities are lacking. The internal mechanics of a steam engine are presumably designed around it being self propelled, and there may be stresses where the motion is being forced to operate at speeds incompatible with the pressures of steam generated within its cylinders. I understand that apart from low speed shunts around depots, locomotives are always in steam when they are towed around; there must be a reason for that.
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Lubrication.

Jamessquared · 12 сен 2025 в 18:17

Gunslinger1948 сказал(а): ↑

I understand that apart from low speed shunts around depots, locomotives are always in steam when they are towed around; there must be a reason for that.
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It's because the cylinder and valve lubrication requires a supply of steam to atomise the lubricating oil (and on some locos may also require a supply of steam to run the lubricator itself). If you ever need to move a locomotive not in steam (apart from small distances at low speed) it is conventional to remove the connecting rods and valve drive rods and thus immobilise the pistons and valves.

Tom

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