running gear

steam engines are inherntly reliable machines.if they are set up rite,they will go a long time. another thing that affeccts the reliablity on the road is the safety keepers like jams nuts an cotters keys.onroad breakdowns from runing gear failure are rare but do happen,gotta keep your eys an ears our. hammers testing everythingis is reccommended if you wantto get home that nite.but you have to know what to lissen for.steel is an amazing material.if the stress level is below the elastic limit it will last forever wont break ever.cycles to failure only applies to parts exeeding the elastic limit stress,then the parts have memory.damage accummulates over time an then a crack develops.watch the rodsan hammer test them for ring sound. dull sound is bad.Keep your eyes and ears out for changes and takes the clue.dont shrug it off gotta pay attention.watch the key in the crossheads.