Problems with the K-3 Mountains ?

[NW Mailing List]

Ed King discusses the development of the K-3 locomotive and its
shortcomings in his recent book, *Thirteen Scoops Around the Box: Memoirs
of an Appalachian Railroad Man*.  He also discusses various other motive
power as well as other railroad related matters.  The book is currently
available from the NWHS Commissary.

https://www.nwhs.org/commissary/new.html#150.53

Jim Brewer

On Wed, Nov 29, 2023 at 1:55 PM NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
wrote:

> What is so amazing is, after reading American Steam Locomotive (and
> others) is just how much physics was unknown to the engineering world back
> then. Or if known, not practical to use.
>
> Many things like dynamics and thermodynamics were just not understood.  I
> mean even today some of this stuff is understood but we can only do the
> math because of powerful computers that can solve problems analytically
> (e.g trial and error).
>
> After reading some on the topic and talking with you all in this list, I
> have lots of respect for the people who designed/used this stuff.
>
> David Baker
>
> On Wed, Nov 29, 2023, 12:41 PM NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <
> nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
>
>> I looked at the write up in the N&W Magazine following Abe’s question - I
>> recalled that the main rod length (the longest applies to any N&W
>> locomotive) was discussed there.
>>
>> It stated the primary reason for the third driver connection was because
>> of excessive rod angularity if the main rod were connected to the second
>> driver, which would lead to excessive stress, heat and racking at the
>> crosshead guide. Given that concern, rebuilding wouldn’t have made sense,
>> trading one problem for another.
>>
>> It’s an interesting article, with its main focus being
>> cross-counterbalancing.
>>
>> Matt Goodman
>> Columbus, Ohio
>>
>> Sent from my mobile
>>
>> On Nov 28, 2023, at 10:15 AM, NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <
>> nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
>>
>> 
>> Abe,
>>
>> C.E. Pond told me that one of the main problems with the K-3 was "Too
>> much angularity at the crosshead."
>>
>> Tim Hensley
>>
>>
>> On Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 09:57:15 AM EST, NW Mailing List <
>> nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Please pardon my very puerile understanding of the mechanics involved...
>> but could not have the problems of the N&W's K-3 Class Mountains have been
>> fixed by making the main rod connect to the #2 driver, instead of the #3
>> driver ?
>>
>> Or would that have involved an overly-expensive complete rebuild of the
>> machinery?
>>
>>     -- abram burnett
>> Retrograde Frequency Turnips
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