Re: NNG: Scenes at Steamtown

Ah, that's the word, thanks Earl!

I recall hearing about this style of running gear once before on a video I saw on Youtube about Soo Line 1003. As explained by the engineer in the video, 1003 is also equipped with indirect Walschaerts valve gear. He stated that this was done since the 1003 was built without a power reverser and so having the radius rod up at the top of the reversing link in full forward position on the Johnson Bar allowed for the engineer to use gravity in his favor to hook the engine up while out on the road against the tremendous weight of the valve gear and pressure in the steam chest. Of course to your statement, I could easily see how if it fails you get a mouth full of Johnson Bar is a hurry.

One hypothetical question, since #26 is slide valve equipped and if she were to get stuck on center, with a Johnson Bar versus power reverser, would having indirect Walschaert's valve gear actually be helpful to the engineer trying to jerk back the valve into reverse in order to move the piston off center? I can recall a couple of times seeing Thomas at Strasburg getting stuck on center and witnessed how stressful it was to move the valve under the pressure of the steam sitting on it.

Mike Wilson
Michael J. Wilson Photography
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/06/2019 09:04AM by Mike.