Dangle angle

[pockets]

Per Baldwin practice, in the 1890's, when the cylinder is angled to aim the piston rod at the center of the drive axle, is the steam port face parallel to the cylinder center line or is it level allowing the steam chest to sit level? This would, of course, be with inside Stephenson gear. The 1/4" scale drawings that I am working from are a little ambiguous in this area.

Thanks for any assistance,
Greg B.

[Bill Shields]

Pockets:

you can do it either way. The math for the gear can be worked out with the incline.

The 'inclined' gear will, of course, be a bit more tricky to calculate / manufacture, but the end result can be what you want.

TOO MUCH of an incline however can make for some interesting construction problems in our small scale...so being the simpleton that I am, would go with the 'normal' stuff.

[fred v]

i would think the port face should be parallel to the piston rod. if it's level then you will have a problem with the radius rod being at an angle to the valve rod. keeping it parallel makes all your motion easier to lay out. i have seen steam chest covers that were horizontal but the steam chest itself was wedge shaped so the port face was parallel to the piston rod.
fred v

[pockets]

Bill and Fred, thanks for your responses. I know that we ( because of all of your help, I tend to think in those terms ) can do it either way. I'm trying to find out how Baldwin did it. It will make a visual difference in a highly observable part of the model and if I'm wrong, SOMEONE will point it out to me.

Thanks, again,
Greg B.

[fred v]

Greg, which engine are you building?

i've been looking through 2 Baldwin books i have. Baldwin first lowered the cyl. to a horizontal position in the 1850's. prior to that the valve motion was parallel to the piston rod, at least that's what i can see.

one odd engine in 1894 was a 3 cyl. camelback with slanted cyl. and the steamchest was definetly level. i can see the valve rod coming out level. the whole steamchest is level but angles at the bottom where it contacts the cyl.
fred v

[pockets]

Fred,
I'm still chsing info on the same engine that I've been working on for about a year: Mt. Gretna Narrow Gauge #15. She's a 2' gauge American, built by Baldwin in 1890.

The drawing I have definately shows the cylinders angled, but as with any drawings that have been through a copy machine too many times, the details are a little muddy.

Thanks for your interrest,
Greg B.

[Bill Shields]

Greg:

OH, so you want to know how Baldwin did it?

I have a picture of the Mt Gretna loco n the "Locos that Baldwin Built"

Everything sure looks square to me in that picture...cylinders look parallel to the track.

All things considered, during that time period, Baldwin appears to only have built 'square' engines....I see no documented examples of inclined cylinders in this book....so...you are probably safe with right angles..

[pockets]

Thanks, Bill. Check you're e-mail.

Greg

[pockets]

I asked about a scan of that photo, Bill

Greg

[willy]

My Cyclopedia Volume 1 has both pictures and line drawing of said locomotive.

The line drawing clearly shows the cylinder is inline with the frame. Pages 106 & 107

Does this mean you want me to send you photos from my digi cam?

Willy

[pockets]

Willy & Bill,
Possessing neither of these references, I would be appreciative of anything you may share with me. My e-mail is in my profile.

A while ago I counseled a new modeller that one of the most important tools he should aquire is a good reference library. I've been working on mine since 1962, but no one can have everything. As your skills and aspirations grow, so must the library.

Thanks,
Greg B.

[This message has been edited by pockets (edited 05-01-2006).]

[fred v]

the only thing i can find in 2ft. ga. is one built for So. Amer. in 1897. great looking engine called Susana.
fred v

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by pockets:
Fred,
I'm still chsing info on the same engine that I've been working on for about a year: Mt. Gretna Narrow Gauge #15. She's a 2' gauge American, built by Baldwin in 1890.

The drawing I have definately shows the cylinders angled, but as with any drawings that have been through a copy machine too many times, the details are a little muddy.

Thanks for your interrest,
Greg B.</font>

[Bill Shields]

Greg:

http://store.prostores.com/servlet/rmirailworks/Detail?no=216

here is the book......

I will get you the scans anyway....

Page 70 of this book also shows a 2 foot loco build by Baldwin for Laurel River & Hot Springs in Maine in 1892.

I can tell for absolute certainty from the drawing that the cylinders are square with the frame...good picture for this one...

While we are talking about Mr. Vauclain and his creations...has anyone ever seen a live steam scale Vauclain Compound?

[This message has been edited by Bill Shields (edited 05-01-2006).]

[srrl5]

Greg,

I just looked at my Cyclopedia Volume 1 and the frame, cylinders, steam chest, and valve rod are all parallel, but not level.
They all are inclined, not by much, but not level.

David