Re: What makes a loco "Out of Hex"

> M Austin Wrote:
> ========================================
> > So... what do you call a lame Shay,
> > "out of triangle?"
>
> Earl Wrote:
> ========================================
> > ... a mess.
> >
> > or perhaps "out of sextagon"?
>
> John West Wrote:
> ========================================
> > Or maybe just "out of sex" for short.
>
>
Johnson Barr Replied:
========================================
> Well, Gentlemen -
>
> Since a two cylinder engine produces four exhaust
> beats per revolution, and a three cylinder engine
> produces six, IMHO "out of hexagon" would be the
> more appropriate term.*   Mr. West's suggestion
> applies more to Curmudgeons than locomotives,
> but as this discussion is occurring shortly before
> and after Hallowe'en perhaps we should allow his
> abbreviation to inspire the term "Out of Hex" for
> short ...    


"Gentlemen", Indeed -

Who(m) are you trying to fool, Willie?   But I do have to admit - somewhat reluctantly, that in this case - for the first time in a long, long while - you may be right.   See [www.lner.info], and click on the second image to view an animation of a presumably 'In Hex' operation of the Gresley "conjugated" valve gear for three-cylinder locomotives (such as SP's 5000's and UP's 9000's) ...    

- Roosso

* Multiplied by a constant - the gear ratio, obviously - in the case of Shays ...