Re: C&S Operating Practices

Posted by Keith Hayes on Feb 01, 2015; 2:35am
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/C-S-Operating-Practices-tp287p580.html

Mike, I noticed that the C-18s were given a higher rating than the C-19s. I believe the C-18s all came from the F&CC. I also found it of interest that the B-3-Cs were such good pullers: that is why 8 is on my wish list as a helper.

I had not given much thought to the main rod length. The 2-8-0s with the main rod connected to the second driver have a squatty look; the longer rod connecting to the third driver is more elegant. I am not sure how this impacts pulling power. You are right a longer rod is heavier, and a review of photos indicate that the longer rods appear to be shorter in height and are fluted to reduce weight--I don't see this (or at least it is not as evident) in photos of shorter rods.

Looking through RRobb, I see a couple 2-8-0s where the rod moved between the 2nd and 3rd driver, but not many. Notable was the loco that became Milwaukee Road 4, which had it switch both before and after the sale. Curious.

This does beg some questions. The wheelset connecting the main rod should have a larger counterweight: if the rod is switched, can the 2nd and 3rd axel wheelsets simply be exchanged? Someone mentioned the notion that the cylinder stroke and main rod proportion are related--isn't the stroke more related to the radius from the axel center to the center of the rod pin? The diameter would be the cylinder stroke, no?

I am just an architect.