Steam questions

[NW Mailing List]

N&W used vertical or "grapevine" throttle levers on all the locomotives equipped with front end throttles, which included all the As, Js Y-5s, Y-6s, Y-6as and Y-6bs.  The K-1s were equipped with vertical throttle levers that operated the dome throttle through an external throttle rod.  This was not a matter of preference, but of practical application to the problem.

That rhythmic "thump-thump-thump" was the sound of the exhaust of the air pumps.  It could not be heard if the locomotive was working hard, but only if the throttle was closed or nearly so.

EdKing



---- NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote: 

> Alright gang I'm back with more questions, Both are for the most part 

> quick and hopefully simple. First what orientation did N&W prefer for 

> the throttles of their steam locomotives? Horizontal or Vertical? I 

> think the J and A both had Vertical oriented but I am not sure if that 

> was N&W preference of just what they used on those locomotives for some 

> reason.

> 

> Second Question is a little harder but I feel it will be easy for 

> someone to answer. In listening to Link's recording of  Y6 working 

> Waynesboro, at time I hear a distinct "thump thump thump" that is 

> rythimic then it quits then it does it again. It does not sound like a 

> Cross Compound to me so I am buffaloed as to what it is, Feedwater pump 

> perhaps? I head the same sound in Hooters on Blues ridge when there is a 

> Y doing Switching at Blue Ridge. It happens while the locomotive is 

> still moving but the throttle seems to be closed and the engine coasting.

> 

> Thanks ahead of time,

> Nathan

> 

> -- 

> Nathan Simmons

> trainman51 at gmail.com

> http://www.t-51.org

> KI4MSK

> 

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