Cylinder (steam locomotive) Totally Explained

Everything about Cylinder Steam Locomotive totally explained

Steam locomotive cylinders may be arranged in several different ways. On early locomotives (for example Puffing Billy) they were often set vertical and the motion was transmitted through beams, as in a beam engine.

Direct drive

The next stage (for example Stephenson's Rocket) was to drive the wheels directly from steeply inclined cylinders placed at the back of the locomotive. Direct drive became the standard arrangement but the cylinders were moved to the front and placed either horizontal or nearly horizontal.

Inside or outside cylinders

The front-mounted cylinders could be placed either inside (between the frames) or outside. Examples:

Inside cylinders, Planet locomotive
Outside cylinders, GNR Stirling 4-2-2

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, inside cylinders were widely used in the UK but outside cylinders were more common in Continental Europe and the USA. The reason for this difference is unclear. From about 1920, outside cylinders became more common in the UK but many inside-cylinder engines continued to be built.

Three or four cylinders

The demand for more power led to the development of engines with three cylinders (two outside and one inside) or four cylinders (two outside and two inside). Examples:

Three cylinders, SR Class V

Four Cylinders, LMS Princess Royal Class

Crank angles

On a two cylinder engine the cranks, whether inside or outside, are set at 90 degrees. As the cylinders are double-acting (for example fed with steam alternately at each end) this gives four impulses per revolution and ensures that there are no dead centres.
On a three cylinder engine, two arrangements are possible:

cranks set at 120 degrees giving six, equally-spaced, impulses per revolution. This is the usual arrangement.

outside cranks set at 90 degrees, inside crank set at 135 degrees, giving six, unequally spaced, impulses per revolution. This arrangement was sometimes used on three cylinder compound locomotives which used the outside (low pressure) cylinders for starting. Two arrangements are also possible on a four cylinder engine:

all four cranks set at 90 degrees. With this arrangement the cylinders act in pairs so there are four impulses per revolution, as with a two cylinder engine.

pairs of cranks set at 90 degrees with the inside pair set at 45 degrees to the outside pair. This gives eight impulses per revolution. It increases weight and complexity, by requiring four sets of valve gear, but gives smoother torque and reduces the risk of slipping.

Valves

The valve chests or steam chests which contain the slide valves or piston valves may be located in various positions.

Inside cylinders

If the cylinders are small, the valve chests may be located between the cylinders. For larger cylinders the valve chests are usually on top of the cylinders but, in early locomotives, they were sometimes underneath the cylinders.

Outside cylinders

The valve chests are usually on top of the cylinders but, in older locomotives, the valve chests were sometimes located alongside the cylinders and inserted through slots in the frames. This meant that, while the cylinders were outside, the valves were inside and could be driven by inside valve gear.

Valve gear

There are many variations in the location of the valve gear. In British practice, inside valve gear is usually of the Stephenson type while outside valve gear is usually of the Walschaerts type. However, this isn't a rigid rule and most types of valve gear are capable of being used either inside or outside. Joy valve gear was once popular, for example on the LNWR G Class.

Inside cylinders

On inside cylinder engines the valve gear is nearly always inside (between the frames), for example LMS Fowler Class 3F.

Outside cylinders

On engines with outside cylinders there are three possible variations:

Inside valve gear driving inside valves, for example NER Class T2

Inside valve gear driving outside valves through rocking shafts, for example GWR 4900 Class

Outside valve gear driving outside valves, for example LSWR N15 Class

Three cylinders

There are three common variations:

Three sets of valve gear (two outside, one inside), for example LNER Peppercorn Class A2

Outside valve gear driving the outside valves. Inside valve driven by Gresley conjugated valve gear, for example LNER Class A1/A3

Three sets of inside valve gear (all valves inside), for example NER Class T3

Four cylinders

There are three common variations:

Four sets of valve gear (two outside, two inside), for example SR Lord Nelson Class

Inside valve gear driving the inside valves directly and the outside valves via rocking shafts, for example GWR 4073 Class

Outside valve gear driving the outside valves directly and the inside valves via rocking shafts, for example LMS Princess Coronation Class

Other variations

There are many other variations, for example geared steam locomotives which may have only one cylinder.

Further Information

Get more info on 'Cylinder Steam Locomotive'.

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